Dengue virus genetic diversity and lineage dynamics in Thailand: implications for surveillance and vaccine implementation.

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever, caused by dengue virus (DENV), is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions. Thailand is considered endemic for dengue, and all four DENV serotypes co-circulate in this country. Monitoring the genetic diversity of DENV is important for establishing local control policies.

METHODS

This study sequenced the complete envelope gene from 92 DENV isolates collected at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases between October 2023 and September 2024. These sequences were analyzed together with dengue virus sequences circulating in Thailand between 2000 and 2024, retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) virus database. The DENV sequences were evaluated for lineage determination and phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

Our findings identify the presence or introduction of dengue genotypes in the endemic area. The results revealed the co-circulation of all four DENV serotypes, and DENV-2 was the dominant serotype (44.57%). The predominant serotype switched in response to dengue outbreaks throughout the study period. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DENV-1 sequences belonged to genotype I, whereas DENV-2 sequences belonged to genotype II and V. Moreover, the dengue vaccine strain was identified via sequencing (Thailand 2024). DENV-3 genotype III was the major circulating genotype from 2013 to 2024. Meanwhile, DENV-4 isolates belonged to genotype I, lineage A.3. In addition, the substitution of the dominant lineage was associated with dengue epidemics.

CONCLUSIONS

The co-circulation of all four DENV serotypes has been exhibited in Thailand. Dengue vaccine implementation is both affected by existing DENV circulation and can influence future DENV circulation within a population. Understanding DENV evolution, genotype replacement, and multiple-virus lineage circulation is vital for enhancing surveillance, responding to DENV epidemics, and implementing vaccination programs.