Serotypes of dengue viruses circulating in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Dengue fever is considered to be the most important mosquito-borne disease and considered as endemic disease in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to analyze the prevailing dengue virus serotypes for the fi rst time in the region. Serum samples of 220 suspected dengue cases were collected throughout 2016 and tested by one step Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) with a set of specifi c primers for detection of four dengue virus serotypes followed by sequencing the PCR products to confi rm the results. Out of the 220 serum samples, 124 were found positive for dengue infection (56.4%). Three dengue virus serotypes were detected; DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-3. DEN-2 is the most common and predominant type in the region rating 83.9% (104/124), followed by DEN-1 8.9% (11/124), and then DEN-3 7.2% (9/124). The high seroprevalence of dengue virus infections in Jazan region indicates its endemicity. The present study highlights the importance of tracking the spread of dengue virus types and its implication for analyzing changes in dengue endemicity in specifi ed areas over time. Complete genome sequencing is required for the three detected dengue virus serotypes circulating in the region (DEN-1, DEN-2, and DEN-3) to serve as references for any future epidemiological researches and/or outbreaks.