Retrospective meta-transcriptomic identification of severe dengue in a traveller returning from Africa to Sweden, 1990

Abstract

Pathogens associated with haemorrhagic fever commonly have zoonotic origins. The first documented imported case of likely viral severe haemorrhagic fever in Sweden occurred in 1990. Despite extensive study, no aetiological agent was identified. Following retrospective investigation with total RNA-sequencing of samples collected between 7 and 36 days from onset of symptoms we identified dengue virus 3 (DENV-3) and a human pegivirus (HPgV). We conclude that the patient likely suffered from haemorrhagic symptoms due to an atypical severe and undiagnosed dengue infection.

Keywords

• Dengue virus
• Dengue haemorrhagic fever
• Viral haemorrhagic fever
• Meta-transcriptomics
• RNA-sequencing
• Human pegivirus