Interaction Between Covid And Dengue Virus Identified

The interaction between Covid and Dengue virus have been identified by a team of scientists of India’s Translational Health Science and Technology Institute. This institute is a government run organisation. The study titled “SARS-CoV-2 antibodies cross-react and enhance dengue infection.” This is available on the preprint server for medical sciences, bioRxiv. This suggests that COVID-19 pandemic may have made the clinical course of dengue much worse.

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This is the first time that this research demonstrates antibodies generated in response to a SARS-CoV-2 infection can cross-react with the dengue virus, specifically DENV-2 (dengue virus 2). Not only this,  these antibodies can enhance the dengue virus’s infection through a phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement. This refers to the ability of antibodies from a previous infection to facilitate a virus in infecting a greater number of cells.

If these  findings are to be believed then it can be applicable in far-reaching areas, particularly in regions where dengue is rampant. They suggest that COVID-19 vaccination strategies and deployment in such areas should be carefully considered in light of the potential interaction with dengue.

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The research involved the examination of human convalescent plasma samples collected during various waves of COVID-19, as well as monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2.

The results of the study indicated that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies possess the capacity to enhance the infection of DENV-2 in K562 and U937 cells.  This findings highlight the intricate interplay between these two viral infections and underscores the importance of further research to fully comprehend the implications of such interactions on public health.