Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Oct 2024)

Detection of dengue virus serotype 4 in Panama after 23 years without circulation

  • María Chen-Germán,
  • Dimelza Araúz,
  • Celestino Aguilar,
  • Celestino Aguilar,
  • Melanie Vega,
  • Claudia Gonzalez,
  • Claudia Gonzalez,
  • Jessica Gondola,
  • Lourdes Moreno,
  • Lizbeth Cerezo,
  • Leticia Franco,
  • Jairo Mendez-Rico,
  • Juan Miguel Pascale,
  • Juan Miguel Pascale,
  • Sandra López-Vergès,
  • Alexander A. Martínez,
  • Alexander A. Martínez,
  • Brechla Moreno

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1467465
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

Read online

Panama is a country with endemic Dengue virus (DENV) transmission since its reintroduction in 1993. The four serotypes have circulated in the country and the region of the Americas, however, DENV-4 confirmed autochthonous cases have not been identified since 2000, despite its circulation in neighboring countries. Here, we report DENV-4 detection in Panama in the last four-month period of 2023 with co-circulation of the other serotypes, this was associated with a peak of dengue cases during the dry season even though most dengue outbreaks are described in the rainy season. Complete genomes of DENV-4 allowed us to determine that cases were caused by DENV-4 genotype IIb, the same genotype as 23 years ago, with high similarity to DENV-4 sequences circulating in Nicaragua and El Salvador during 2023. This report shows the importance of maintaining serotype and genotype surveillance for early detection of new variants circulating in the country.

Keywords