Molecular Epidemiology of Dengue in Panama: 25 Years of Circulation
Yamilka Díaz,
María Chen-Germán,
Evelia Quiroz,
Jean-Paul Carrera,
Julio Cisneros,
Brechla Moreno,
Lizbeth Cerezo,
Alex O. Martinez-Torres,
Lourdes Moreno,
Itza Barahona de Mosca,
Blas Armién,
Rubing Chen,
Nikos Vasilakis,
Sandra López-Vergès
Affiliations
Yamilka Díaz
Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
María Chen-Germán
Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
Evelia Quiroz
Faculty of Medicine, University of Panama, 3366 Panama 4, Republic of Panama
Jean-Paul Carrera
Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
Julio Cisneros
Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
Brechla Moreno
Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
Lizbeth Cerezo
National Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, 0816-06812 Panama 1, Republic of Panama
Alex O. Martinez-Torres
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Panama, 3366 Panama 4, Republic of Panama
Lourdes Moreno
National Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, 0816-06812 Panama 1, Republic of Panama
Itza Barahona de Mosca
National Department of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, 0816-06812 Panama 1, Republic of Panama
Blas Armién
Department of Research in Emergent and Zoonotic diseases, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
Rubing Chen
Department of Pathology and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA
Nikos Vasilakis
Department of Pathology and Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA
Sandra López-Vergès
Department of Research in Virology and Biotechnology, Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Justo Arosemena avenue and 35st street, 0816-02593 Panama, Republic of Panama
Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent arbovirus in terms of human public health importance globally. In addition to DENV epidemiological surveillance, genomic surveillance may help investigators understand the epidemiological dynamics, geographic distribution, and temporal patterns of DENV circulation. Herein, we aimed to reconstruct the molecular epidemiology and phylogeny of DENV in Panama to connect the epidemiological history of DENV dispersal and circulation in Latin America. We retrospectively analyzed the epidemiological data obtained during 25 years of DENV surveillance in Panama. DENV was reintroduced in Panama in 1993 after a 35 year absence of autochthonous transmission. The increase in the number of total dengue cases has been accompanied by an increase in severe and fatal cases, with the highest case fatality rate recorded in 2011. All four serotypes were detected in Panama, which is characterized by serotype replacement and/or co-circulation of multiple serotypes. Phylogenetic analysis of datasets collected from envelope (E) gene sequences obtained from viruses isolated from human sera demonstrated that circulating viruses were highly diverse and clustered in distinct clades, with co-circulation of clades from the same genotype. Our analyses also suggest that Panamanian strains were related to viruses from different regions of the Americas, suggesting a continuous exchange of viruses within the Americas.
