Dengue serotypes in Bangladesh: whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics facilitates pathogenesis and epidemiology studies and informs improved disease control

Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most extensive arthropod-borne (arbo)viruses worldwide, especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, and which is responsible for causing an array of clinical disease manifestations in humans. The increasing frequency of dengue outbreaks and the expanding range over which both the virus and its vector of transmission, female Aedes mosquitoes, are endemic, are pressing global public health concerns. The ongoing lack of either an efficacious vaccine or antiviral drug has contributed to the escalating problem. Inadequate knowledge of DENV genomic architecture and pathogenesis has proven to be a major drawback when designing effective prevention and treatment options. Mounting case numbers of dengue infection are reported each year in Bangladesh, yet no full-length genome sequence data are available for DENV isolates from this densely populated, developing South Asian nation. Sequencing and characterization of the whole genome of Bangladeshi DENV isolates of different virus serotypes is therefore an important priority in order to identify therapeutic target determinants against which to develop effective measures to combat the disease.