Dominance of Dengue Viral Serotypes in India: A Comprehensive Study

Introduction: Dengue is a global health threat exacerbated by the diversity of DENV serotypes and their shifting dominance. This study investigates the changing patterns of DENV serotypes and their clinical implications in India over a 12-year period. The objective of the present study is to analyse the epidemiological trends, serotype distribution, and clinical characteristics of dengue infections in India from 2010 to 2022.Methods and Material: A total of 3,800 patients with dengue were studied across rural and urban settings in India. Data were collected on clinical presentations, serotype distribution, and diagnostic results, including RT-PCR, NS1 antigen, and antibody tests. Patients were categorised based on serotype prevalence and infection type (single or concurrent). Results: The serotype distribution revealed that DENV-2 was the predominant serotype from 2010 to 2018. However, a shift to DENV-3 dominance was observed from 2019 to 2022. The clinical findings showed that 63% of RTPCR-positive patients had dengue fever (DF) and 37% had dengue-like fever. NS1 antigen was present in 91% of RTPCR-positive cases. Only 8.9% had both NS1 and IgM, while none had detectable IgG or IgM + IgG. Clinical symptoms included high fever, retro-orbital pain, rashes, ascites, and hepatomegaly. Thrombocytopenia was present in 82% of patients, with additional findings of low leucocyte counts, anaemia, and elevated transaminase levels. Among the concurrent infections, various serotype combinations were observed, indicating a high incidence of concurrent infections.Conclusion: To conclude, the study highlights a significant shift from DENV-2 to DENV-3 dominance in recent years, correlating with changes in environmental factors such as monsoon patterns. The findings underscore the need for continuous surveillance and adaptive management strategies to address the evolving dengue epidemiology effectively. How to cite this article:Kumar V C S, Prasad B S, Kalappanavar N K, Jayasimha V L, Ananya V S. Dominance of Dengue Viral Serotypes in India: A Comprehensive Study. J Commun Dis. 2024;56(4):14-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202465