Characterisation of the First Complete Dengue Genome in Sierra Leone
| Title: | Characterisation of the First Complete Dengue Genome in Sierra Leone |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Allan K. O. Campbell; Ifeanyi Omah; Andy M. Diouf; Mignane Ndiaye; Julian S. O. Campbell; Edyth Parker; Vidalyn Folorunso; Anu J. Williams; Mattu T. Kroma; Sia Y. Mani; Naomi Daniel-Sesay; Zein Souma; Choe Miller; Roberta Lansana; Amanda M. Kargbo; Fay Chalobah; Mamadou Cisse; Mamadou Malado Jallow; Joseph Charles; Aminata T. Koroma; Joseph Sam Kanu; Abebaw Kebede; Collins Tanui; Sofonias Tessema; Oumar Faye; Gamou Fall; Ndongo Dia; James S. Squire; Mohamed Boie Jalloh; Mohamed Alex Vandi; Zikan Koroma; Abdourahmane Sow; Foday Sahr; Bocar Sow; Doris Harding; Boubacar Diallo |
| Source: | Viruses ; Volume 18 ; Issue 3 ; Pages: 298 |
| Publisher Information: | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute |
| Publication Year: | 2026 |
| Collection: | MDPI Open Access Publishing |
| Subject Terms: | dengue virus; DENV-2; Sierra Leone; arbovirus surveillance; phylogenetics; genomic epidemiology |
| Description: | Dengue is the leading mosquito-borne viral cause of human illness and death. More than four billion people globally are at risk of dengue virus (DENV) infection, and most infections are asymptomatic or present with a non-specific febrile illness. We characterise the first complete DENV-2 genome from Sierra Leone, recovered from a febrile adult who tested RT-PCR–positive. The sequence was identified as DENV-2 genotype II, lineage F.1.1. Phylogenetically, the Sierra Leone genome formed a well-supported sister lineage with a 2024 USA DENV-2 genome; both were nested within but clearly diverged from Indian DENV-2 sequences (2021–2022) and were distinct from the Réunion DENV-2 clade. The degree of genetic divergence was incompatible with a recent or direct import of a South Asian lineage and was more consistent with diversification in an under-sampled Indian Ocean/South Asia network or outside this region in Africa. With a single Sierra Leone genome, the source and extent of local transmission remain unresolved. These findings underscore the benefits of integrating differential diagnostics and genomics into routine care for febrile illness and sustaining regional arboviral surveillance. |
| Document Type: | text |
| File Description: | application/pdf |
| Language: | English |
| Relation: | Animal Viruses; https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v18030298 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/v18030298 |
| Availability: | https://doi.org/10.3390/v18030298 |
| Rights: | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: | edsbas.5F021FC9 |
| Database: | BASE |