Importation and co-circulation of multiple serotypes of dengue virus in Sarawak, Malaysia

Virus Res. 2009 Jul;143(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2009.02.020. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Abstract

Although dengue is a common disease in South-East Asia, there is a marked absence of virological data from the Malaysian state of Sarawak located on the island of Borneo. From 1997 to 2002 we noted the co-circulation of DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 in Sarawak. To determine the origins of these Sarawak viruses we obtained the complete E gene sequences of 21 isolates. A phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple entries of DENV-2 and DENV-4 into Sarawak, such that multiple lineages co-circulate, yet with little exportation from Sarawak. Notably, all viral isolates were most closely related to those circulating in different localities in South-East Asia. In sum, our analysis reveals a frequent traffic of DENV in South-East Asia, with Sarawak representing a local sink population.

MeSH terms

  • Dengue Virus / classification*
  • Dengue Virus / genetics
  • Dengue Virus / isolation & purification*
  • Dengue* / epidemiology
  • Dengue* / virology
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • Malaysia / epidemiology
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Serotyping
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / analysis
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • E protein, Dengue virus type 3
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein E, dengue virus type 4