Introduction of the American/Asian genotype of dengue 2 virus into the Yucatan State of Mexico

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2004 Oct;71(4):485-92.

Abstract

A dengue (DEN) outbreak occurred in the Yucatan State of Mexico in 2002. Three isolates were obtained from patients presenting with DEN-like symptoms, and examined by partial nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The isolates were identified as DEN-2 viruses of the American-Asian genotype; this is the first report of this genotype in the Yucatan State. The DEN-2 viruses of the American-Asian genotype have been associated with more severe disease outcomes. Thus, its introduction into the Yucatan State presents a serious problem to public health authorities. During this outbreak, DEN virus infection was confirmed in 18% (282 of 1,560) of the patients who presented with DEN-like symptoms. Of these, 87 (31%) patients met the World Health Organization criteria for dengue hemorrhagic fever, including two patients who died. The majority (77%) of the patients experienced secondary infections in this epidemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dengue / epidemiology*
  • Dengue / physiopathology
  • Dengue / virology
  • Dengue Virus / classification*
  • Dengue Virus / genetics*
  • Dengue Virus / isolation & purification
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Severe Dengue / epidemiology*
  • Severe Dengue / physiopathology
  • Severe Dengue / virology
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral