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<p>Dengue fever is an emerging endemic disease in Saudi Arabia; however, important gaps remain regarding transmission dynamics, vector distribution, and serotype circulation in highland areas. This study primarily aimed to investigate dengue virus (DENV) infection and vector occurrence in the highland governorates of the Jazan region. A cross-sectional study enrolled 182 febrile patients tested using RT-qPCR, ELISA, RT-PCR–based serotyping, and rapid diagnostic tests. Concurrent entomological surveillance was conducted using CDC light traps, with morphological and molecular identification of <i>Aedes aegypti</i>. RT-qPCR confirmed acute DENV infection in 15.9% (29/182) of patients. Males showed significantly higher prevalence than females (23.4% vs. 10.5%; P = 0.019). Primary infections accounted for 72.4%, while 27.6% were secondary. ELISA-NS1 demonstrated higher sensitivity (79.3%) and specificity (100%) than RDT-NS1 (58.6% and 99.4%), with stronger agreement with RT-qPCR (κ = 0.87 vs. 0.68). IgG seropositivity (41.8%) suggests substantial prior exposure, likely reflecting ongoing endemicity rather than isolated outbreaks. DENV-2 predominated, followed by DENV-3, consistent with previously reported serotype patterns in Saudi Arabia. A total of 7,095 mosquitoes were collected, of which 20.9% were <i>Ae. aegypti</i>, detected year-round with peaks in August–September, likely associated with higher temperature and rainfall conditions. Monthly mosquito abundance correlated with dengue cases (r = 0.770; P = 0.006). These findings indicate that dengue transmission and vector presence extend into highland areas. Integrating molecular diagnostics with expanded vector surveillance is essential to strengthen dengue control beyond traditional endemic zones.</p>

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Molecular and Serological Surveillance of Dengue Virus and Vector Dynamics in the Highlands of Southwestern Saudi Arabia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月27日

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  • Ahmad Hassn Ghzwani,
  • Mubarak A. Alzubaidi,
  • Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi,
  • Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha,
  • Zaki M. Eisa,
  • Tareq k Khawaji,
  • Amro Ahmed Zalah,
  • Qasem Mohammed Ali Abushushah,
  • Khalid Mohmmed Ghazwani,
  • Abadi M. Mashlawi,
  • Wahib M. Atroosh,
  • Ahmed A. Abdulhaq,
  • Abdulrahman Abdullah Otaen,
  • Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab,
  • Abdullah Algaissi

摘要

Dengue fever is an emerging endemic disease in Saudi Arabia; however, important gaps remain regarding transmission dynamics, vector distribution, and serotype circulation in highland areas. This study primarily aimed to investigate dengue virus (DENV) infection and vector occurrence in the highland governorates of the Jazan region. A cross-sectional study enrolled 182 febrile patients tested using RT-qPCR, ELISA, RT-PCR–based serotyping, and rapid diagnostic tests. Concurrent entomological surveillance was conducted using CDC light traps, with morphological and molecular identification of Aedes aegypti. RT-qPCR confirmed acute DENV infection in 15.9% (29/182) of patients. Males showed significantly higher prevalence than females (23.4% vs. 10.5%; P = 0.019). Primary infections accounted for 72.4%, while 27.6% were secondary. ELISA-NS1 demonstrated higher sensitivity (79.3%) and specificity (100%) than RDT-NS1 (58.6% and 99.4%), with stronger agreement with RT-qPCR (κ = 0.87 vs. 0.68). IgG seropositivity (41.8%) suggests substantial prior exposure, likely reflecting ongoing endemicity rather than isolated outbreaks. DENV-2 predominated, followed by DENV-3, consistent with previously reported serotype patterns in Saudi Arabia. A total of 7,095 mosquitoes were collected, of which 20.9% were Ae. aegypti, detected year-round with peaks in August–September, likely associated with higher temperature and rainfall conditions. Monthly mosquito abundance correlated with dengue cases (r = 0.770; P = 0.006). These findings indicate that dengue transmission and vector presence extend into highland areas. Integrating molecular diagnostics with expanded vector surveillance is essential to strengthen dengue control beyond traditional endemic zones.