Spatiotemporal Dynamics of DENV-2 Asian-American Genotype Lineages in the Americas

Abstract

The Asian/American (AS/AM) genotype of dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) has been evolving in the Americas over the last 30 years, leading to several waves of dengue epidemics and to the emergence of different viral lineages in the region. In this study, we investigate the spatiotemporal dissemination pattern of the DENV-2 lineages at a regional level. We applied phylogenetic and phylogeographic analytical methods to a comprehensive data set of 582 DENV-2 E gene sequences of the AS/AM genotype isolated from 29 different American countries over a period of 30 years (1983 to 2012). Our study reveals that genetic diversity of DENV-2 AS/AM genotype circulating in the Americas mainly resulted from one single founder event and can be organized in at least four major lineages (I to IV), which emerged in the Caribbean region at the early 1980s and then spread and die out with different dynamics. Lineages I and II dominate the epidemics in the Caribbean region during the 1980s and early 1990s, lineage III becomes the prevalent DENV-2 one in the Caribbean and South America during the 1990s, whereas lineage IV dominates the epidemics in South and Central America during the 2000s. Suriname and Guyana seem to represent important entry points for DENV-2 from the Lesser Antilles to South America, whereas Venezuela, Brazil and Nicaragua were pointed as the main secondary hubs of dissemination to other mainland countries. Our study also indicates that DENV-2 AS/AM genotype was disseminated within South America following two main routes. The first route hits Venezuela and the western side of the Andes, while the second route mainly hits Brazil and the eastern side of the Andes. The phenomenon of DENV-2 lineage replacement across successive epidemic outbreaks was a common characteristic in all American countries, although the timing of lineage replacements greatly vary across locations.

Analysis of genotype diversity and evolution of Dengue virus serotype 2 using complete genomes

“…The strains belonging to the AA3 lineage are found to be isolated from the Caribbean region (such as Puerto Rico and Jamaica) and Brazil. This observation was supported by the earlier studies wherein Caribbean islands have been reported to be the main source of DENV-2 viruses in Brazil and northeastern Brazil appears to be an important route of introduction and dissemination of this virus in SAM region (Figueiredo et al, 2014; Mir et al, 2014). Furthermore, gene flow via islands has been proposed to be a cause of spread to other countries in the Americas (Allicock et al, 2012).…”

Global evolutionary history and spatio-temporal dynamics of dengue virus type 2

“…In spite of this, continuous surveillance of the virus can facilitate the early detection of novel emerging variants, and acts as a fundamental part of integrated preventive strategy. Previous studies were mainly about specific country and region730313233, or only focused on certain genotype19. Therefore, the challenge is to analyze evolutionary history and geographic spread of the virus globally.…”

“…While Mir et al 33. investigated DENV-2 migration using similar tools, the study was geographically limited to the Americas including the Caribbean.…”

Molecular epidemiology demonstrates that imported and local strains circulated during the 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangzhou, China

“…DENV-2 has six genotypes, consisting of Asian I, Asian II, Southeast Asian/American, Cosmopolitan, American and sylvatic Cruz et al, 2013;Mir et al, 2014). Additionally, DENV-3 can be arranged into five genotypes, including I-V. DENV-4 is classified into four genotypes, consisting of I-III and the sylvatic genotype.…”