Origin, tempo, and mode of the spread of DENV-4 Genotype IIB across the state of São Paulo, Brazil during the 2012-2013 outbreak

BACKGROUND Dengue virus type 4 (DENV-4) was first reported in Brazil in 1982 and since then no more cases were detected again in Brazil until 2010, when the virus was reintroduced. Over the following years, the virus spread to several Brazilian states and resulted in about 1,400,000 dengue cases, in 2013. The largest number of cases were documented in the Southeast macro-region. OBJECTIVES To determine the phylogeography of DENV-4 Genotype IIB strains isolated during the epidemics in 2012-2013 in São Paulo, Brazil, we aimed to contextualise the contribution of viruses sampled in different localities across the overall movement of DENV-4 in Brazil. METHODS Based on the envelope gene sequences retrieved from GenBank, we employed a Bayesian phylogeographic approach to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of DENV-4 Genotype IIB in São Paulo, Brazil. FINDINGS The dispersal dynamics of DENV-4 Genotype IIB in Brazil indicated Rio de Janeiro and Mato Grosso states as the most likely routes toward São Paulo before the 2012-2013 outbreak. Likewise, Guarujá and São José do Rio Preto facilitated viral spread and transmission to other localities in the South and Southeast macro-regions in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS The spread pattern of DENV-4 Genotype IIB strains across the country supports two independent introductions of the virus in São Paulo in a short period of time. Furthermore, São Paulo appears to have played a pivotal role in the dissemination of DENV-4 to other locations in Brazil.

Virus del dengue de serotipo 1 (DENV-1) de Colombia: su contribución a la presentación del dengue en el departamento de Santander / Dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1) from Colombia: its contribution to dengue occurrence in Santander

Introducción. Los cuatro serotipos del virus del dengue circularon en el departamento de Santander entre 1998 y 2008. No existe información sobre el papel del serotipo 1 (DENV-1) en la epidemiología de la enfermedad. Objetivo. Analizar la relación entre el cambio de predominancia del (DENV-1) con su diversificación genética, predominancia de los otros serotipos y presentación del dengue grave. Materiales y métodos. La diversificación genética se estudió por análisis filogenético usando la secuencia del gen E de 12 cepas del virus. Para el análisis se utilizaron datos sobre predominancia de los serotipos obtenidos en estudios previos y datos oficiales de incidencia del dengue. Resultados. Los virus seleccionados se agruparon en el genotipo V junto a (DENV-1) de países de Latinoamérica y se evidenció segregación en cuatro linajes. Los cambios en la predominancia del virus coincidieron con el reemplazo de linaje y esto, a su vez, con incremento en la prevalencia de DENV-2 y DENV-3, e incremento del dengue grave. Conclusión. La diversificación genética podría contribuir a cambios de predominancia de (DENV-1), y la relación del virus con el DENV-2 y DENV-3 en situaciones que favorecen la presentación de casos graves. Se necesitan más estudios para precisar el papel de los serotipos en la epidemiología del dengue.

Introduction: Between 1998 and 2008 all dengue virus serotypes circulated in the Departamento de Santander, an endemic region in northeastern Colombia. No information is available as to the role of serotype 1 (DENV-1) with respect to epidemiology of dengue. Objective: To analyze the relationship between changes in DENV-1 predominance with respect to genetic diversity, prevalence of others serotypes and occurrence of severe dengue. Methods: Virus genetic diversity was studied by phylogenetic analysis comparing E gene sequences from 12 viral strains. Data about serotypes predominance obtained in previous studies and official data about dengue incidence were used for analysis. Results: Selected viruses grouped into genotype V together DENV-1 from Latin America countries, and segregation in four lineages was evidenced. Changes in virus predominance coincided with replacement of lineage, increase in prevalence of DENV-2 and DENV-3 and increase of severe dengue. Conclusion: Genetic divergence could have contributed to changes in DENV-1 predominance. The relationship of the virus with DENV-2 and DENV-3 could create scenarios that promote occurrence of severe cases. More studies are required to ascertain the precise role of serotypes in the epidemiology of dengue.