title: Virological surveillance for early warning of dengue epidemics in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The state of Rio de Janeiro has been important since 1986 as a portal for the introduction of dengue virus (DENV) into Brazil and dissemination of the virus throughout the country. This study describes an active surveillance of DENV in the state of Rio de Janeiro from 2004 to 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 14 408 samples from patients suspected to be infected with DENV were tested by virus isolation, and nested reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assay or anti-DENV dengue IgM antibody capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA), or both.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By the use of these different methods, a total of 2324 (16.1%) cases were confirmed as dengue infection. The study covers an inter-epidemic period (2004-2005), the DENV-3 circulation in 2006, the re-emergence of DENV-2 in 2007 and the severe epidemic caused by DENV-2 in the summer of 2008. During the period, 69 dengue fatal cases were reported, 14 (20.2%) deaths being attributable to DENV-3 and 55 (79.7%) to DENV-2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results emphasize the role of the laboratory in the early detection of dengue virus transmission and provide information on the dynamics of DENV introduction and spread, important for the assessment of intervention strategies.
authors: Flavivirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Gleicy Amorim
authors: GA
authors: Macedo
authors: Josélio Maria Galvão
authors: JM
authors: de Araújo
authors: Hermann Gonçalves
authors: HG
authors: Schatzmayr
authors: Filipe Anibal Carvalho
authors: FA
authors: Costa
authors: Ana Maria Bispo
authors: AM
authors: de Filippis
authors: Flávia Barreto Dos
authors: FB
authors: Santos
authors: Rita Maria Ribeiro
authors: RM
authors: Nogueira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003715:Dengue / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062486:Public Health Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult