Detection of coinfection with Chikungunya virus and Dengue virus serotype 2 in serum samples of patients in State of Tocantins, Brazil

Abstract

Background: The co-circulation of Chikungunya (CHIKV), Dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses increased the risk of outbreaks and coinfections among them. Here, we report cases of coinfection in clinical samples from state of Tocantins, Brazil. Methods: In 2017, the Central Public Health Laboratory (LACEN) received samples of patients who consulted health units with symptoms compatible with arboviral infections. A total of 102 samples were sent to the Retrovirology Laboratory at the Federal University of São Paulo, where they were tested by RT-qPCR to confirm DENV, ZIKV and CHIKV infections and to detect coinfected patients. Results: We identified with CHIKV monoinfection (52), DENV serotypes 1 (28) and serotypes 2 (22). We did not detect ZIKV. Five patients were characterized with coinfection involving CHIKV and DENV serotype 2. Conclusions: The presence of co-circulating arboviruses increases the chance of coinfection and demonstrates the importance of differential diagnosis and vector control. Keywords: Arbovirus, RT-qPCR, Coinfection, Chikungunya, Dengue