Epidemiological surveillance of chikungunya fever in Mexico since its introduction in 2014-2016 and identification of circulating genotypes.

In 2014, the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was detected for the first time in Mexico, the identified strain was the one corresponding to the Asian genotype which was phylogenetically grouped with the strains that circulated in the British Virgin Islands outbreak and was later classified with lineages of Caribbean strains. In three years, 13,569 cases of chikungunya were registered in Mexico. Although the transmission and spread of the virus are now considered a moderate risk, the danger that the virus reemerges is not ruled out due to the infestation of Aedes mosquitoes. In this study, we reviewed the chikungunya fever (CHIKF) cases reported between 2014 and 2016 to reanalyze the data. Seventeen cases were selected from different states where the circulation of the virus had been reported. Statistical data were analyzed and a retrospective analysis was carried out. Nucleic acid sequences were determined of these 17 samples. 2015 was the year with the highest number of cases (92.8%) and they were detected in 28 states of the country. There is a predominance of females, and the most affected age group was between 25 and 44 years. In 2016, CHIKV genotypes were not known, in this study the presence of the Asian genotype of Caribbean lineage was confirmed. The presence of the West African and ECSA genotypes was phylogenetically ruled out. The sequences obtained were deposited in GeneBank.

Identification of Asian genotype of chikungunya virus isolated in Mexico.

We identified 25 autochthonous chikungunya virus cases in Mexico, initially detected by RT-PCR targeting the E1 gene and propagated in C6/36 Aedes albopictus cells, in 2014. To determine the type of virus found, in a previous report, the genomes of 2 CHIKV strains were fully sequenced. Genome sequence analysis revealed that these isolates from Mexico belonged to the Asian genotype, and a phylogenetic association with the circulating strain in the British Virgin Islands was also established in the same year. This was further supported by changes in specific amino acids, E2-V368A and 6K-L20M. For these reasons, it can be inferred that the route of virus entry to Mexico was held across the countries in the Caribbean and Central America. The presence of E1-A226V mutation associated with more efficient replication in the salivary gland of the A. albopictus mosquito was not observed. Interestingly, a newly acquired NSP4-S399C mutation was observed; however, the significance of changes in amino acid found in non-structural proteins in autochthonous strains remains to be elucidated.

Detection of Zika virus in Aedes mosquitoes from Mexico.

Background: We report on the results of an entomovirological surveillance system of Aedes populations performed by the Ministry of Health of the central state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Methods: Indoor adult Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus pools collected at San Martín, Tamazunchale, Ciudad Valles, Metlapa, Ebano, Tamuin and Axtla during the dry season of 2016 were examined for the presence of dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses using real-time PCR. Results: Both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus were found to be infected with ZIKV in the absence of confirmed symptomatic human cases. Conclusions: The entomovirological surveillance system analysed here identified both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus infected with ZIKV which triggered an immediate aggressive vector control campaign.

Complete Genome Sequence of Zika Virus Isolated in Mexico, 2016.

Zika virus belongs to the genus Flavivirus, and its spread remains an international public health emergency. In this report, we describe the obtainment and molecular characterization of a complete viral genome through the direct metagenomic analysis from saliva from an autochthonous transmission case in Mexico.

Complete genome sequences of chikungunya virus strains isolated in Mexico: first detection of imported and autochthonous cases.

The mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, an alphavirus of the Togaviridae family, is responsible for acute polyarthralgia epidemics. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two chikungunya virus strains, InDRE04 and InDRE51, identified in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Chiapas in 2014. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both strains belong to the Asian genotype.

Serotipos de dengue en México durante 2009 y 2010 / Dengue serotypes in México during 2009-2010

Introducción. El dengue en México es un problema prioritario de salud pública. Desde el 2008 el Departamento para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica y Virológica del InDRE implementó un nuevo algoritmo de diagnóstico del dengue, que utiliza la Red de Laboratorios Estatales de Salud Pública, para favorecer la representatividad geográfica, la oportunidad, la sensibilidad y la especificidad de la información que se obtiene. Métodos. La identificación de serotipos se realizó a partir de muestras positivas a la proteína NS1 por ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA). Las técnicas que se utilizaron fueron: aislamiento viral, PCR punto final y, desde 2009, RT-PCR en tiempo real (qRT-PCR). Resultados. En 2009 se analizaron 6,336 muestras; en 2,944 de éstas (46.6%) se identificó el serotipo DENV-1 que predominó sobre el serotipo DENV-2; el serotipo DENV-3 sólo se identificó en dos casos en Guerrero y el serotipo DENV-4 en un caso en Chiapas. En 2010 se analizaron 2,013 muestras. Se identificó algún serotipo en 1,607 muestras (79.88%) y, nuevamente, el serotipo DENV-1 predominó en todo el país. En Chiapas se identificaron los serotipos DENV-1, 2 y 4 y en Jalisco los serotipos DENV-1 y 3. Además, se identificó la circulación del serotipo DENV-3 en Guerrero y apareció el serotipo DENV-4 en San Luis Potosí. Conclusiones. Por la selección de muestras para vigilancia virológica de dengue mediante la positividad a la proteína NS1 y por la introducción de la técnica de qRT-PCR se optimizó la identificación de serotipos circulantes. La alta endemia, los brotes en nuevas regiones, el predominio del serotipo DENV-1 por varios años y la introducción lenta de otros serotipos, principalmente DENV-3, pueden favorecer la aparición de formas clínicas graves de dengue. La vigilancia epidemiológica inteligente del dengue brindará información para un mejor entendimiento de la enfermedad y promoverá acciones para su control y prevención.

Background. Dengue is a public health priority in Mexico. Since 2008, the dengue diagnostic algorithm for epidemiological and virological surveillance has been improved at InDRE and the public health laboratory network (RLESP) to optimize geographic representation, opportunity, sensitivity and specificity of the produced information. Methods. Dengue serotype identification is based on ELISA NS1 positive samples. Methods used are viral isolation, endpoint PCR and, since August 2009, real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results. In 2009, 6,336 serum samples were analyzed and 2,944 (46.6%) were positive for serotype identification. DENV-1 was detected in greater proportion followed by DENV-2, and DENV-3 4 was only identified in two cases in Guerrero and DENV-4 in one case in Chiapas. In 2010, 2,013 serum samples were analyzed and 1,607 (78.8%) were positive for serotype identification. DENV-1 was predominant throughout the country. In Chiapas, DENV-1, 2 and 4 were identified and in Jalisco DENV-1 and 3. DENV-3 was identified in Guerrero again and DENV-4 was detected in San Luis Potosí. Conclusions. The selection samples through NS1 positive samples and the introduction of qRT-PCR optimized serotype identification. Hyperendemicity, outbreaks in new geographic areas, the predominant circulation of DENV-1 for several years and the slow reintroduction of the other serotypes, mainly DENV-3, could increase clinical cases of severe dengue. An ¡intelligentí epidemiological surveillance program would offer information for a better understanding of the disease and promote action for its control and prevention.