Serotype and genotype diversity of dengue viruses circulating in India: a multi-centre retrospective study involving the Virus Research Diagnostic Laboratory Network in 2018
Kalichamy Alagarasu, J.A. Patil, Mahadeo Kakade, Ashwini More, B. Yogesh, Priyanka Newase, Santosh Jadhav, Deepti Parashar, Harpreet Kaur, Nivedita Gupta, Neetu Vijay, Jitendra Narayan, P.S. Shah, Dr Ajanta Sharma, Dr Amita Jain, Dr Anudita Bhargava, Dr B. Anukumar, Dr Ashok M, Bharti Malhotra, Dr B.J. Borkakoty, Debasis Biswas, Dr SC Jaryal, Dr Kanwardeep Singh Dhingra, Dr K. Kaveri, Dr P.K. Khatri, Dr Manoj Kumar, Dr K. Nagamani, Rahul Dhodapkar, Rupinder Bakshi, Dr Paramjeet S. Gill, Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Dr Shanta Dutta, Dr Shantala G, Dr Usha Kalawat, Dr Disha A. Patel, Dr P. Vijayachari
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the circulating dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and genotypes in India in 2018. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.