Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) (DENV-2)

Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) is a significant human pathogen within the Flaviviridae family, characterized as an enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus (WHO, 2023). The viral genome encodes a single polyprotein that is post-translationally cleaved into three structural proteins (C, prM, E) and seven non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5), which are essential for viral assembly and replication (UniProt, P07564). DENV-2 is often associated with more severe clinical outcomes, such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, particularly during secondary infections involving different serotypes due to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2020). Current therapeutic strategies involve the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting viral proteins like the NS4B protein (e.g., JNJ-1802) or the NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to block viral replication (Science, 2021). Despite the approval of vaccines like Dengvaxia and Qdenga, the requirement for balanced protection across all four serotypes to avoid ADE remains a primary challenge in clinical management and drug development (The Lancet, 2022).

Other names

Dengue virus type 2Dengue fever virus serotype 2DENV-2

Inhibition of viral replication through targeting non-structural proteins such as NS4B, NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, or NS3 protease; prevention of viral entry; and induction of neutralizing antibodies via vaccination (Science, 2021; The Lancet, 2022).