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Molecular Characterization of Dengue Viruses Imported Into Taiwan during 2003–2007: Geographic Distribution and Genotype Shift

We presented our surveillance results on imported dengue cases in Taiwan during 2003–2007. A total of 542 imported dengue patients were identified. The travelers were infected in 17 countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East African islands, South Pacific islands, and Central America. Most of these imported cases were infected in Southeast Asian countries. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to examine 288 imported dengue virus (DENV) strains introduced from 13 countries. The results provide an updated view on the geographic distribution and dynamic transmission of epidemic DENV stains circulated in Southeast Asian countries. Although the geographic distributions of genotypes of DENV-3 isolated from Southeast Asian countries remain unchanged, the introductions and local expansions of epidemic DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-4 strains into new areas in Asia were observed. These findings highlight the importance to strengthen laboratory-based dengue surveillance for better understanding of transmission dynamics and molecular evolution of DENVs.

Received October 8, 2008. Accepted for publication March 28, 2009.

Acknowledgments: The authors thank the staff members of the Gene Sequencing Laboratory, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, for performing the sequencing work.

Financial support: This work was supported by grant DOH95-DC-0002 and DOH96-DC-0002 from Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Disclosure: The authors do not have commercial or other associations that might pose a conflict of interest with this research.

^* Address correspondence to Jyh-Hsiung Huang, Research and Diagnostic Center, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, 161 Kun-Yang Street, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. E-mail: jhhuang{at}cdc.gov.tw

Authors’ addresses: Pei-Yun Shu, Chien-Ling Su, Tsai-Ling Liao, Cheng-Fen Yang, Shu-Fen Chang, Chien-Chou Lin, Mei-Chun Chang, Huai-Chin Hu, and Jyh-Hsiung Huang, Research and Diagnostic Center, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, 161, Kun-Yang Street, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Reprint requests: Jyh-Hsiung Huang, Research and Diagnostic Center, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, 161, Kun-Yang Street, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC, Tel: 886-2-26531374, Fax: 886-2-27883992, E-mail: jhhuang{at}cdc.gov.tw.