Dengue viral infection in Indonesia: Epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and mutations from an observational cohort study.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: I Made Susila Utama, Nurhayati Lukman, Dewi Dian Sukmawati, Bachti Alisjahbana, Anggraini Alam, Dewi Murniati, I Made Gede Dwi Lingga Utama, Dwiyanti Puspitasari, Herman Kosasih, Ida Laksono, Muhammad Karyana, Mulya Rahma Karyanti, M M D E A H Hapsari, Ninny Meutia, C Jason Liang, Wahyu Nawang Wulan, Chuen-Yen Lau, Ketut Tuti Merati Parwati
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2019
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007785; https://doaj.org/article/3ef3ff85ec7f41a68fca553d476e33d0

Background Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a major cause of acute febrile illness in Indonesia. Diagnostic inaccuracy may occur due to its varied and non-specific presentation. Characterization of DENV epidemiology, clinical presentation, and virology will facilitate appropriate clinical management and public health policy. Methodology/principal findings A multicenter observational cohort study was conducted in Indonesia to assess causes of acute fever requiring hospitalization. Clinical information and specimens were collected at enrollment, 14-28 days, and 3 months from 1,486 children and adults. Total of 468 (31.9%) cases of DENV infection were confirmed by reference laboratory assays. Of these, 414 (88.5%) were accurately diagnosed and 54 had been misdiagnosed as another infection by sites. One hundred initially suspected dengue cases were finally classified as 'non-dengue'; other pathogens were identified in 58 of those cases. Mortality of DENV infection was low (0.6%). Prior DENV exposure was found in 92.3% of subjects >12 years. DENV circulated year-round in all cities, with higher incidence from January to March. DENV-3 and DENV-1 were the predominant serotypes. This study identified DENV-1 with TS119(C→T) substitution in the serotyping primer annealing site, leading to failure of serotype determination. Conclusions/significance DENV is a common etiology of acute febrile illness requiring hospitalization in Indonesia. Diagnostic accuracy at clinical sites merits optimization since misdiagnosis of DENV infection and over-estimation of dengue can negatively impact management and outcomes. Mutation at the annealing site of the serotyping primer may confound diagnosis. Clinicians should consider following diagnostic algorithms that include DENV confirmatory testing. Policy-makers should prioritize development of laboratory capacity for diagnosis of DENV.