Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent arbovirus in terms of human public health importance globally. In addition to DENV epidemiological surveillance, genomic surveillance may help investigators understand the epidemiological dynamics, geographic distribution, and temporal patterns of DENV circulation. Herein, we aimed to reconstruct the molecular epidemiology and phylogeny of DENV in Panama to connect the epidemiological history of DENV dispersal and circulation in Latin America. We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological data obtained during 25 years of DENV surveillance in Panama. DENV was reintroduced in Panama in 1993 after a 35 year absence of autochthonous transmission. The increase in the number of total dengue cases has been accompanied by an increase in severe and fatal cases, with the highest case fatality rate recorded in 2011. All four serotypes were detected in Panama, which is characterized by serotype replacement and/or co-circulation of multiple serotypes. Phylogenetic analysis of datasets collected from envelope (E) gene sequences obtained from viruses isolated from human sera demonstrated that circulating viruses were highly diverse and clustered in distinct clades, with co-circulation of clades from the same genotype. Our analyses also suggest that Panamanian strains were related to viruses from different regions of the Americas, suggesting a continuous exchange of viruses within the Americas.
Highlights
Dengue viruses (DENV) are arthropod-borne viruses of the genus flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, with four currently recognized serotypes (DENV-1–4) [1,2]
We previously demonstrated that the DENV-2 strains detected in the 2011 Panama outbreak that were associated with a high case fatality rate [21] were related to strains from outbreaks in Nicaragua and Guatemala in 2009–2010 [22]
Since the DENV re-emergence in Panama in 1993 to 2017, a total of 67,834 dengue cases were reported to Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA), with 2.9% (1974 cases) classified as hemorrhagic dengue and 78 resulting in death (Table 1)
Summary
Dengue viruses (DENV) are arthropod-borne viruses of the genus flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, with four currently recognized serotypes (DENV-1–4) [1,2]. The principal mosquito vectors of transmission are members of the Aedes genus [3]. DENV has been present in the Americas at least since the 17th century [5]. Panama formally reported dengue-like illness in 1904, with subsequent outbreaks [3,6]. Aggressive and sustainable vector control programs led to the eradication of Aedes aegypti in the Americas from 1947–1970 [3], following the reintroduction of Aedes aegypti and the dengue virus in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the total dengue cases in the Americas increased exponentially [7,8,9]. Panama remained Aedes aegypti-free until their re-infestation in 1985 [3], and it was the last country in Central America to detect autochthonous dengue cases, reporting cases of DENV-2 in 1993 [10]. All four serotypes have been continuously circulating and causing outbreaks
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
