Molecular epidemiology of Dengue 4 in Vietnam: identification of new genotypes and evidence of local independent evolution

ABSTRACT

This is the first report for molecular epidemiology of DEN-4 viruses in Vietnam. At present, DEN-4 serotype can be classified into two genetically distinct types genotypes I and II. In this study, phylogenetic analysis of DEN-4 viruses from Vietnam as well as previously published strains indicate that DEN-4 viruses could be genetically classified into more than 2 genotypes. Most recent Vietnamese DEN-4 strains (1998-2002) were clustered within a distinct genetic type, named genotype III, a newly recognized genetic type for DEN-4 viruses. In addition, two Vietnamese strains isolated in 1990 and 1997 also grouped separately forming another independent cluster in the tree, which we designated genotype IV. In this report present for the first time the existence of two new genotypes of DEN-4 in Vietnam. Evidence for local independent evolution and temporal correlation was observed.