Molecular study of 2019 dengue fever outbreaks in Nepal. (28th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poudyal, Pranita; Sharma, Kesari; Dumre, Shyam Prakash; Bastola, Anup; Chalise, Bimal Sharma; Shrestha, Bikesh; Poudel, Anubhav; Giri, Anita; Bhandari, Paramanda; Shah, Yogendra; Poudel, Ram Chandra; Khadka, Deegendra; Maharjan, Jyoti; Ngwe Tun, Mya Myat; Morita, Kouchi; Pandey, Basu Dev; Pandey, Kishor
• Is Part Of: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Volume 115:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 619
• Page End: 626
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28
• Subjects: dengue -- DENV-2 -- Kathmandu -- RT-PCR -- serotype; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-9203

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Dengue cases have been continuously reported in Nepal, including some large outbreaks, since its first introduction in 2004. The disease is now expanding towards newer locations above 1400 m high, especially the country's capital city, Kathmandu. In 2019, >14, 000 dengue cases including six deaths were reported. This study was aimed at the detection and molecular characterization of dengue virus (DENV) in dengue patients. Methods: A total of 451 patients were enrolled in this study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory information was collected from dengue patients. Dengue infection was confirmed by antibody/antigen detection assays followed by RT-PCR analysis. Results: The DENV patients showed fever, body ache, headache, myalgia, retro-orbital pain and arthralgia. The platelets were decreased, serum liver enzymes were increased and leucopenia was seen. Out of 195 patients, 111 (57.0%) were positive for DENV RNA by consensus PCR. We found DENV-2, 70 (63.1%) as the predominant serotype responsible for the 2019 outbreak, while DENV-3 was detected in two patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that DENV-2 was the major serotype causing the 2019 massive outbreak in Nepal. This information will help in disease control programs to understand the molecular epidemiology and its changing trend.