Dengue Research Funded by the European Commission-Scientific Strategies of Three European Dengue Research Consortia

Dengue is a major international public health concern and one of the most important arthropod-borne diseases [1]. Approximately 2.5 billion people—40% of the world's population, in over 100 countries—are at risk of dengue virus (DENV) infection [2]. In recent years the average annual incidence of dengue-related serious disease in many tropical counties has been rising dramatically, with the infection becoming endemic in areas where its occurrence was once sporadic [3]. The exponential increase over the last decade has been connected to societal changes, such as population growth and increasing urbanization [4]. In addition, it has been suggested that rising temperatures and global climate change may lead to the expansion of the range of major mosquito vectors into new areas, extension of the transmission season in current endemic areas, and increase in the mosquito species vectorial capacity [5]–[7]. Human migration (likely including infected hosts) and international travel are constantly introducing new vectors and pathogens into novel geographic areas [8]. For example, chikungunya virus was introduced into northeastern Italy in 2007, causing an outbreak with local transmission due to the presence of Aedes albopictus, a vector also capable of transmitting dengue virus [9]. In 2010, three authochthonous cases of dengue were reported in Europe, thereby highlighting the potential for global spread of this disease [10], [11]. The island of Madeira, where the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is present, experienced a major dengue outbreak in the fall of 2012 [12], highlighting that the introduction of dengue to non-endemic areas is a real threat. Dengue has been neglected for many years. Major research gaps for dengue exist in the areas of epidemiology under changing climate conditions, clinical management, pathogenesis, vector control, surveillance and response, vaccines, drugs, and health policy research [13]. The European Commission (EC) launched a call under the Seventh Framework Programme with the title of “Comprehensive control of Dengue fever under changing climatic conditions” (http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/page/cooperation?callIdentifier=FP7-HEALTH-2011-single-stage). The focus of this call is summarized in Box 1. Within this framework, in 2011, the EC awarded a total of approximately €18 million to three consortia. The hosting institutions are Heidelberg University Hospital (Germany), the Institute Pasteur (Paris, France), and Umea University (Sweden). Each consortium has partners from countries with endemic and epidemic dengue. In total, the consortia comprise 38 partners from 21 countries, of which 11 are from Asia and Latin America, the current hotspots of dengue endemicity, and one from Africa (Figure 1). Figure 1 The world map of the three EU-funded dengue consortia. Box 1. European Commission Seventh Framework Programme FP7 Cooperation - Health HEALTH.2011.2.3.3-2: Comprehensive control of Dengue fever under changing climatic conditions. FP7-HEALTH-2011-single-stage Research should develop innovative tools for one or more of the following aspects: better diagnosis, surveillance, development of treatment, prevention and vaccination strategies, prevention, and/or prediction and prevention of the spread of dengue fever to previously uninfected regions (including Europe), in the context of climate change. Research may also include studies on the underlying pathogenesis with respect to viral and host factors that can predict disease severity and prepare for further development of new vaccines, antiviral compounds, and more targeted treatment schemes. Funding Scheme Specific International Cooperation Action (SICA) Collaborative Project (small- or medium-scale focused research project) target regions: Latin America and/or Asia. SICA aims to bring about the balanced participation of third countries in collaboration with European partners. Expected Impact Better tools, and the use thereof, for improved comprehensive control of dengue fever at a global level. Participation from both SICA target regions and Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs in the projects should help ensure innovation and exploitation of the results in this area/topic. The degree of such participation will be considered during the evaluation. Source: http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/infectious-diseases/emerging-epidemics/call-for-proposals_en.html The funding of such a large and complex research programme focusing on a single disease highlights the emphasis that the European Commission has put on dengue and its potential threat to Europe. In this paper, we present these three consortia and outline their scientific strategies and potential role within the international dengue research community.