Dengue in Santander State, Colombia: fluctuations in the prevalence of virus serotypes are linked to dengue incidence and genetic diversity of the circulating viruses

• Published in: Tropical medicine & international health 2019-12, Vol.24 (12), p.1400-1410
• Main Authors: Carreño, María Fernanda, Jiménez-Silva, Cinthy Lorena, Rey‐Caro, Luz Aida, Conde‐Ocazionez, Sergio Andrés, Flechas-Alarcón, María Camila, Velandia, Sindi Alejandra, Ocazionez, Raquel Elvira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibodies; Autocorrelation; Colombia; Colombie; Correlation; Correlation analysis; dengue; Dengue fever; dengue virus; Disease transmission; Fluctuations; Gene sequencing; Genetic diversity; Genetic variation; genotype; Genotypes; génotype; Human diseases; Immunization; Metropolitan areas; Monoclonal antibodies; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; serotype; Serotypes; surveillance du virus; Vaccination; Vector-borne diseases; Viral diseases; virus de la dengue; virus surveillance; Viruses
• ISSN: 1360-2276; 1365-3156
• DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13311

Objective To investigate the link between fluctuations in the prevalence of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and the number of dengue cases in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga, Santander State, Colombia, in the 2007–2010 and 2014–2017 periods. Method Viruses were isolated from febrile patient samples by direct application to C6/36‐HT cells and typed using monoclonal antibodies. We performed autocorrelation and cross‐correlation analyses to determine whether fluctuations in the prevalence of DENV serotypes and dengue cases were correlated. Full envelope (E) gene sequences were employed to examine the genetic diversity of serotypes circulating by using a phylogenetic approach. Results All four dengue virus serotypes were detected. DENV‐1 was the dominant serotype in both periods followed by DENV‐3 or DENV‐2 depending on the period; DENV‐4 was the least prevalent virus in both periods. Cross‐correlation analyses suggest a temporal relation between the fluctuations in the prevalence of DENV serotypes, which were almost simultaneous (lag = 0) or related to recent past fluctuations (lag > 1.0) in the number of dengue cases. Data suggest that a sustained predominance of DENV‐1, an increase of the DENV‐4 prevalence, and a switch from DENV‐3 to DENV‐2 could be linked to an outbreak. Circulating viruses were grouped into Genotype V, Asia/American III and II for DENV‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐4, respectively; intragenotypic diversity was detected. Conclusions The present work highlights the need of comprehensive studies on dynamics of DENV in Colombia to understand transmission of dengue and evaluate the effectiveness of a vaccination programme. Objectif Etudier le lien entre les fluctuations de la prévalence des sérotypes du virus de la dengue (DENV) et le nombre de cas de dengue dans la région métropolitaine de Bucaramanga, dans l’Etat de Santander, en Colombie, au cours des périodes 2007–2010 et 2014–2017. Méthode Les virus ont été isolés à partir d'échantillons de patients fébriles par application directe sur des cellules C6/36‐HT et typés à l'aide d'anticorps monoclonaux. Nous avons effectué des analyses d'autocorrélation et de corrélation croisée afin de déterminer si les fluctuations de la prévalence des sérotypes du DENV et des cas de dengue étaient corrélées. Des séquences de gènes d’enveloppe complète (E) ont été utilisées pour examiner la diversité génétique des sérotypes en circulation en utilisant une approche phylogénétique. Résultats Tous les quatre sérotypes du