A recent study conducted by researchers at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Kerala has suggested that increasing temperatures could potentially make the Dengue virus more virulent. This research may offer insights into predicting and mitigating the severity and virulence of Dengue, a recurring tropical disease that typically sees outbreaks during the monsoon season. Dengue is estimated to have a global disease burden of around 390 million cases per year.
The study, which was recently published in the FASEB journal, focused on how Dengue virus (DENV) behaves when grown in mosquito-derived cells at higher temperatures. The team, led by Easwaran Sreekumar from RGCB, discovered that Dengue becomes more severe and hostile in animal models when exposed to these elevated temperatures during growth.
The researchers explained that the ability of the Dengue virus to thrive in both mosquito cells and human cells is a crucial factor influencing its virulence. Unlike higher animals, mosquitoes have fluctuating body temperatures that change with environmental conditions. Until now, it was unclear whether the virus’s growth conditions at higher temperatures would affect its virulence. This study is the first to suggest that such an effect may indeed exist. Dengue virus cultured at higher temperatures in mosquito cells exhibited significantly greater virulence compared to the virus grown at lower temperatures.
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The implications of this research are noteworthy. It indicates that during seasons with elevated environmental temperatures, coupled with intermittent rainfalls that promote mosquito breeding, there is a potential for the emergence of more virulent strains of the Dengue virus, leading to more severe disease outcomes. This aspect has not been previously explored in Dengue outbreaks in various parts of the country. The study highlights the increasing relevance of global warming and its potential impacts on the dynamics of infectious diseases.
Dengue is a viral infection caused by the Dengue virus (DENV) and is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Globally, the incidence of Dengue has been on the rise in recent years, accompanied by an increase in disease severity and fatalities. While the disease is typically mild and self-limiting in most patients, in some cases, it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as thrombocytopenia (extremely low platelet count in the blood) and shock syndrome.
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