Rapid genotyping protocol to improve dengue virus serotype 2 survey in Lao PDR

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 7;15(8):e0237384. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237384. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Dengue fever is one of the major public health problems in Lao PDR. Over the last decade, dengue virus (DENV) epidemics were characterized by a novel predominant serotype accompanied by at least two other serotypes. Since 2008, DENV-2 circulated at a low level in Lao PDR but its epidemiologic profile changed at the end of 2018. Indeed, the number of confirmed DENV-2 cases suddenly increased in October 2018 and DENV-2 became predominant at the country level in early 2019. We developed a Genotype Screening Protocol (GSP) to determine the origin(s) of the Lao DENV-2 and study their genetic polymorphism. With a good correlation with full envelope gene sequencing data, this molecular epidemiology tool evidence the co-circulation of two highly polymorphic DENV-2 genotypes, i.e. Asian I and Cosmopolitan genotypes, over the last five years, suggesting multiple introductions of DENV-2 in the country. GSP approach provides relevant first line information that may help countries with limited laboratory resources to reinforce their capabilities to DENV-2 and to follow the epidemics progresses and assess situations at the regional level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dengue Virus / genetics*
  • Dengue Virus / isolation & purification
  • Dengue Virus / physiology
  • Genotyping Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Laos
  • Serotyping
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*
  • Time Factors
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data

Grants and funding

MG received funding from the Agence Française de Développement grant n° CZZ 2146 01 (Ecomore2 project). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.