Serotype and genotype diversity of dengue viruses circulating in India: a multi-centre retrospective study involving the Virus Research Diagnostic Laboratory Network in 2018

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2021-10, Vol.111, p.242-252
• Main Authors: Alagarasu, K., Patil, J.A., Kakade, M.B., More, A.M., Yogesh, B., Newase, P., Jadhav, S.M., Parashar, D., Kaur, H., Gupta, N., Vijay, N., Narayan, J., Shah, P.S., Sharma, Dr Ajanta, Jain, Dr Amita, Bhargava, Dr Anudita, Anukumar, Dr B., M, Dr Ashok, Malhotra, Dr Bharti, Borkakoty, Dr B.J., Biswas, Dr Debasis, Jaryal, Dr SC, Dhingra, Dr Kanwardeep Singh, Kaveri, Dr K., Khatri, Dr P.K., Kumar, Dr Manoj, Nagamani, Dr K., Dhodapkar, Dr Rahul, Bakshi, Dr Rupinder, Gill, Dr Paramjeet S., Pati, Dr Sanghamitra, Dutta, Dr Shanta, G, Dr Shantala, Kalawat, Dr Usha, Patel, Dr Disha A., Vijayachari, Dr P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dengue virus serotypes; Genotypes; Molecular surveillance; Virus Research Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) Network
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.08.045

•Dengue virus serotypes were tested in 4963 samples collected across India in 2018.•DENV-2 was the most prevalent serotype in many states of India.•Two genotypes of DENV-1 (I and V) were circulating.•Two lineages of DENV-2 genotype IV were circulating.•DENV-3 genotype III and DENV-4 genotype-I were circulating. A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the circulating dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and genotypes in India in 2018. In total, 4963 samples referred to virus research diagnostic laboratories (n=21), the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) and ICMR-NIV field units (n=2) for diagnosis of dengue in 2018 were tested using a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the presence of DENV serotypes. Representative samples were sequenced for the envelope (E) gene. Regional diversity was observed with regard to the dominant circulating serotypes. DENV-2 was found to be the most common serotype in many states. Thrombocytopenia, petechiae and malaise were associated with DENV-2 infection. Phylogenetic analyses of DENV E gene sequences revealed the circulation of genotypes I and V of DENV-1, two lineages of DENV-2 genotype IV, DENV-3 genotype III and DENV-4 genotype I. This study found regional differences in the prevalence of circulating DENV serotypes in India, and provides baseline data for continuous molecular surveillance. Molecular surveillance may have implications for predicting large-scale outbreaks of dengue if regional shifts in the predominantly circulating serotypes and genotypes are detected during the early phase of the dengue season.