Can we find a possible structural explanation for antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection resulting in hemorrhagic fever?

Cecilia P. Mikita*, Eduardo A. Padlan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dengue virus infection is one of the most prevalent mosquito-borne illnesses worldwide, affecting as many as 400 million persons annually. Most people experience a self-limited viral illness, but some experience life-threatening disease. Subsequent infection with other dengue virus serotypes increases the risk of development of severe dengue disease with plasma leakage with or without hemorrhage and end organ impairment. Antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection has been implicated in the development of severe dengue disease, previously referred to as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. We propose a structural explanation for the role of non-neutralizing antibodies in the development of antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus infection via complement fixation or binding to Fcγ receptors facilitating entry into target cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-52
Number of pages4
JournalMedical Hypotheses
Volume88
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2016

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