Complete genome sequencing and comparative analysis of three dengue virus type 2 Pakistani isolates

Dengue is currently one of the most important arthropod borne human viral diseases caused by a flavivirus named as dengue virus. It is now endemic in Pakistan since many dengue fever outbreaks have been observed in Pakistan during the last three decades. Major serotype of dengue virus circulating in Pakistan is serotype 2. Complete genome sequences of three Pakistani dengue virus serotype 2 isolates were generated. Analysis of complete genome sequences showed that Pakistani isolates of dengue virus serotype 2 belonged to cosmopolitan genotype. This study identifies a number of amino acid substitutions that were introduced in local dengue virus serotype 2 isolate over the years. The study provides a significant insight into the evolution of serotype 2 of dengue virus in Pakistan. This is the first report of complete genome sequence information of dengue virus from the most recent outbreak (2013) in Punjab, Pakistan.