Epidemiology of Dengue in Argentina: Antibodies seroprevalence in blood donors and circulating serotypes

Abstract

Dengue infection (DENV) is currently a public health problem in the world. In recent decades, three major outbreaks and a substantial increase in the DENV incidence have been observed in Argentina. However, there is a paucity of data on the epidemiology of DENV in the country. To estimate the seroprevalence of DENV antibodies and determine the circulating serotypes, a population study was carried out. Anti-DENV IgG antibodies were determined in 1,530 prospectively collected samples from blood donors throughout the country, using enzyme immunoassays, and DENV serotyping was performed in 251 retrospectively collected samples. Overall, anti-DENV IgG was detected in 220 (14.4%) blood donors. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in men [(17.3%)] than in women (11.3%)], p <0.001. A significantly higher seroprevalence was observed for the Northeast region (24.0%) compared to the Center (12.9%) and Northwest (10.8%), respectively, (p <0.001). The prevalence for the different serotypes was 199 (79.3%) for DENV-1, 2 (0.8%) for DENV-2 and 50 (19.9%) for DENV-4. DENV serotypes were unevenly distributed in samples from different outbreaks or regions. This study provides new insights and updated data on the epidemiology of dengue in Argentina. The seroprevalence of antibodies found is among the lowest in Latin America, which raises cost-benefit objections regarding the mass indication of the vaccine. However, a high proportion of circulation of more than one serotype should not be overlooked, as it is a warning of a possible increase in cases of severe dengue in the next Argentine outbreaks, which warrants close monitoring.