Viruses Associated with Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fevers of the Philippines and Thailand

Abstract

Epidemiologic, clinical, and etiologic studies were carried out on a newly recognized, frequently fatal, pediatric disease syndrome which occurred in urban areas infested with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Four types of dengue virus (two of which are new), chikungunya virus, and another virus yet to be identified were isolated from the blood of patients. Dengue viruses, types 2 and 3, were isolated from the mosquitoes. Ample serologic confirmation was obtained of concurrent hemorrhagic fever and infection with one or more of these viruses. Thus, it was discovered that viruses of previously recognized types and of closely related new types apparently have etiologic roles in a new and highly dangerous epidemic disease syndrome.

Electron microscopic observations onAedes albopictus cells infected with dengue viruses

“…Dengue hemorrhagic fever has been one of the most important virus diseases in Southeast Asia and is caused by four different serotypes of dengue (DEN) virus (16,17). The vii~ases belong to group B arboviruses, flavivirus of Togaviridae (27) and are transmitted by Stegomyia mosquitoes such as dedes aegypti or A. albopictus between susceptible vertebrate hosts, mainly human beings (9).…”

Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

“…Although all four dengue serotypes were initially isolated from human serum by using baby mice (70,74,131), this method is very time-consuming, slow, and expensive. Moreover, because of the low sensitivity of the method, many wildtype viruses cannot be isolated with baby mice.…”

Emergence and Surveillance of Chikungunya

“…aegypti, was circulating. Its first appearance was in Philippines in 1954, with subsequent outbreaks in following years [50]. In 1963, CHIKV was detected for the first time in India [51].…”