Dengue Virus and Other Flaviviruses (Zika): Biology, Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Vaccine Development

Dengue is the mosquito-borne viral disease that is most important to humans. In the Americas, a region highly endemic for dengue, all four serotypes circulate. Accordingly, many researchers in the region have devoted their efforts to the study and control of this disease. Research carried out in the region has significantly helped in the understanding of dengue virus entry, genome replication, host cell factors required for replication, and mechanisms of pathogenesis. Also, some relevant contributions to the sequence and structures of the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the viral genome in different hosts and immune responses and the pathogenesis of the virus have been described. Finally, the molecular epidemiology of dengue virus in Latin America has been extensively studied, and the region has participated actively in the development of dengue vaccines. Currently, the region faces the Zika emergency as a major health problem.