Mutational pattern in Capsid Protein (C) of Dengue Virus isolates from Punjab Province of Pakistan.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Dengue virus (DENV) genomic study is crucial for understanding how it spreads and presents and becomes dangerous. Three structural and seven non-structural proteins are encoded by the positive-stranded RNA DENV. Capsid protein (C) is one of the structural proteins which helps in the encapsidation of viral RNA. The objective of the study is to identify the DENV serotypes and the most common geographic specific mutations in the C protein circulating in the Punjab province of Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: It was a cross-sectional study in which about 120 DENV isolates were selected by the procedure of temporal sampling done in the peak season of dengue fever in 2022 from the major tertiary care hospitals for whole genomes sequence analysis. Among these only 23 whole genome sequences were performed after virus isolation, quantification, and cDNA synthesis. RESULTS: All the samples were found to be of genotypes 1 and 2, in which 44 non-synonymous mutations were detected in the C protein. The most common mutations were; N90S (n=11) and G70S (n=11) followed by V26G (n=5) and R10Q (n=4), in which G70S is novel. CONCLUSION: Mutations in the current study are of particular interest to the design of DENV vaccine projects in the future. Genomic epidemiology during each outbreak of DENV in different locations is critical for better public health and for designing new policies for future outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]