Genomic and epidemiological characterisation of a dengue virus outbreak among blood donors in Brazil

Nuno R. Faria*, Antonio Charlys Da Costa, José Lourenço, Paula Loureiro, Maria Esther Lopes, Roberto Ribeiro, Cecilia Salete Alencar, Moritz U.G. Kraemer, Christian J. Villabona-Arenas, Chieh Hsi Wu, Julien Thézé, Kamran Khan, Shannon E. Brent, Camila Romano, Eric Delwart, Brian Custer, Michael P. Busch, Oliver G. Pybus, Ester C. Sabino, Cesar De Almeida NetoAlfredo Mendrone-Junior, Anna Bárbara Carneiro-Proietti, Divaldo De Almeida Sampaio, Clarisse Lobo, Ligia Capuani, João Eduardo Ferreira, Marcio Oikawa, Pedro Losco Takecian, Cláudia Di Lorenzo Oliveira, Shannon Kelly, Thelma T. Gonçalez, Donald Brambilla, Christopher McClure, Simone A. Glynn

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Outbreaks caused by Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses can spread rapidly in immunologically naïve populations. By analysing 92 newly generated viral genome sequences from blood donors and recipients, we assess the dynamics of dengue virus serotype 4 during the 2012 outbreak in Rio de Janeiro. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the outbreak was caused by genotype II, although two isolates of genotype I were also detected for the first time in Rio de Janeiro. Evolutionary analysis and modelling estimates are congruent, indicating a reproduction number above 1 between January and June, and at least two thirds of infections being unnoticed. Modelling analysis suggests that viral transmission started in early January, which is consistent with multiple introductions, most likely from the northern states of Brazil, and with an increase in within-country air travel to Rio de Janeiro. The combination of genetic and epidemiological data from blood donor banks may be useful to anticipate epidemic spread of arboviruses.

Original languageEnglish
Article number15216
JournalScientific Reports
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2017
Externally publishedYes

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