title: Epidemiological and Molecular Characterization of Dengue Virus Circulating in Bhutan, 2013-2014.
abstract: Dengue is one of the most significant public health problems in tropical and subtropical countries, and is increasingly being detected in traditionally non-endemic areas. In Bhutan, dengue virus (DENV) has only recently been detected and limited information is available. In this study, we analyzed the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of DENV in two southern districts in Bhutan from 2013-2014. During this period, 379 patients were clinically diagnosed with suspected dengue, of whom 119 (31.4%) were positive for DENV infection by NS1 ELISA and/or nested RT-PCR. DENV serotypes 1, 2 and 3 were detected with DENV-1 being predominant. Phylogenetic analysis of DENV-1 using envelope gene demonstrated genotype V, closely related to strains from northern India.
authors: Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan.
authors: Sangay
authors: S
authors: Zangmo
authors: Department of Virology, Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Chonticha
authors: C
authors: Klungthong
authors: Department of Virology, Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Piyawan
authors: P
authors: Chinnawirotpisan
authors: Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Srisurang
authors: S
authors: Tantimavanich
authors: Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Nathamon
authors: N
authors: Kosoltanapiwat
authors: Department of Virology, Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Butsaya
authors: B
authors: Thaisomboonsuk
authors: Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan.
authors: Kelzang
authors: K
authors: Phuntsho
authors: Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan.
authors: Sonam
authors: S
authors: Wangchuk
authors: Department of Virology, Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: In-Kyu
authors: IK
authors: Yoon
authors: Department of Virology, Armed Force Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001631:Bhutan / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D055815:Young Adult