Dynamic trends of dengue fever serotypes in northern India: Exploring clinical manifestations, serotype dissemination, and the influence of mixed infections.

Abstract

Examining the co-circulation of various serotypes and finding serotypes linked to illness severity were the main objectives of this study, which sought to investigate the epidemiology and serotype distribution of dengue in Haryana, North India. The cross-sectional study, which was carried out in a tertiary care hospital between September 2021 and April 2023, enrolled participants who met WHO criteria for probable dengue fever. Blood samples underwent molecular and serological diagnostics, such as immunochromatographic testing, VIDAS® Dengue NS1 assays, and TRUPCR® Dengue Detection and serotyping kits, in addition to the collection of clinical and demographic data. Dengue was found to be present in 212 of the 536 probable cases, with serotype DENV-2 being the most common. There have also been reports of mixed DENV-1 and DENV-2 infections. Different serotypes caused different lengths of sickness; DENV-2 showed a sustained high RT-PCR positivity. The severity of the disease was linked to distinct serotypes based on significant differences in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels between individuals with dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). The study emphasizes how complicated dengue virus infections can be because of the co-circulation of several serotypes and the possibility of mixed infections. Serotypes and illness severity are correlated, which emphasizes the necessity of continuous surveillance and monitoring to improve outbreak prediction and management. These results are critical for guiding clinical judgments and public health policy, especially with relation to the possible introduction of a dengue vaccine.