Phylogenetic Investigations of Dengue 2019–2021 Outbreak in Guadeloupe and Martinique Caribbean Islands
Margot Garcia--Van Smévoorde,
Géraldine Piorkowski,
Loic Emboulé,
Georges Dos Santos,
Cécile Loraux,
Stéphanie Guyomard-Rabenirina,
Marie-Odile Joannes,
Laurence Fagour,
Fatiha Najioullah,
André Cabié,
Xavier de Lamballerie,
Anubis Vega-Rúa,
Raymond Césaire,
Elodie Calvez
Affiliations
Margot Garcia--Van Smévoorde
Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes 97139, Guadeloupe
Géraldine Piorkowski
Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
Loic Emboulé
Molecular Genetics and Inherited Red Blood Cell Diseases Laboratory, University Hospitals of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre 97159, Guadeloupe
Georges Dos Santos
Department of Virology, University Hospitals of Martinique, Fort-de-France, 97200 Martinique, France
Cécile Loraux
Department of Virology, University Hospitals of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre 97159, Guadeloupe
Stéphanie Guyomard-Rabenirina
Microbial Ecosystems Interaction Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes 97139, Guadeloupe
Marie-Odile Joannes
Department of Hematology Immunology Histocompatibility, University Hospitals of Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre 97159, Guadeloupe
Laurence Fagour
Department of Virology, University Hospitals of Martinique, Fort-de-France, 97200 Martinique, France
Fatiha Najioullah
Department of Clinical Research and Innovation, University Hospitals of Martinique, Fort-de-France, 97200 Martinique, France
André Cabié
Pathogenesis and Controle of Chronic and Emerging Infections, French National Blood Service (EFS), National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
Xavier de Lamballerie
Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE), Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207, 13005 Marseille, France
Anubis Vega-Rúa
Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes 97139, Guadeloupe
Raymond Césaire
Pathogenesis and Controle of Chronic and Emerging Infections, French National Blood Service (EFS), National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
Elodie Calvez
Vector Control Research Laboratory, Transmission Reservoir and Pathogens Diversity Unit, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe, Les Abymes 97139, Guadeloupe
Dengue fever has been a public health problem in the Caribbean region since 1981, when it first reappeared in Cuba. In 1989, it was reported in Martinique and Guadeloupe (two French islands 200 km apart); since then, DENV has caused several epidemics locally. In 2019–2021, DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3 were detected. Serotype distribution was differentiated, with DENV-2 and DENV-3 predominating in Guadeloupe and Martinique, respectively. Complete genome sequencing was carried out on 32 specimens, and phylogenic analysis identified the circulation of genotype V for DENV-1, cosmopolitan genotype for DENV-2, and genotype III for DENV-3. However, two distinct circulating groups were identified for DENV-1 and DENV-3, suggesting independent introductions. Overall, despite the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated travel restrictions, these results confirm the active circulation of DENV and specific epidemiological features on each of the two islands. Such differences may be linked to the founder effect of the various introduction events, and to local factors such as the population immunity and the transmission capacity of the vectors. Further genomic and epidemiological characterization of DENV strains remains essential to understand how dengue spreads in each specific geographical context and to prevent future epidemics.
