Background &
objectives: Dengue virus (DENV) is an
RNA virus that infects approximately 2.5 billion people around the world. The
incidence of
dengue fever has rapidly increased at an alarming rate in the last few years and has affected thousands of people in
Pakistan . This
review explores the
prevalence ,
serotypes and pathogenesis of
dengue virus circulating in
Pakistan .
Methods: A
systematic review of observational studies published between 1994 and December 2019 was performed. All
records of the confirmed outbreak of
dengue fever in
Pakistan were reviewed and articles containing no primary data were excluded.
Results: Four identified
serotypes of
dengue virus (DENV 1-4) circulate in different regions of the world causing
epidemics . The most prevalent
serotype , which is still
epidemic and dominant in
Pakistan , is DENV-2. Many factors like over-
population , rapid
urbanization , travelling, lack of
vector control in
dengue endemic areas and inadequate
health -care are responsible of dynamic and huge raise of
dengue in
Pakistan . Interpretation &
conclusion: Currently there is no specific
treatment for prevention of
dengue virus . Recently some
antiviral compounds were being tested to eradicate this
disease . There is a need to develop an efficient and safe
vaccine for all four
serotypes to combat
dengue viral infection globally and particularly in
Pakistan .