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Humanized animal viruses with special reference to the primate adaptation of morbillivirus
E Norrby1, J Kövamees, M Blixenkrone-Möller
1Department of Virology, Karolinska Institute, School of Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
This review article discusses the evolution of human viruses with special reference to paramyxoviruses. This family of viruses causes epidemics representing the dissemination of infection from one acutely infected host to the next. Since there is no repository for human paramyxoviruses in animals or in the form of persistent infections in man, the history of epidemics afflicting human civilization is short, presumably not exceeding 4000-5000 years. Evolutionary relationships can be deduced for comparison of nucleotide sequences of genes or even complete genomes. The present paramyxovirus genus will probably in the future be divided into two separate genera. In the genus morbillivirus, two pairs of more closely related virus types can be distinguished: canine and phocid viruses, and rinder-pest and measles viruses, respectively. It is speculated that recombination events may have occurred in the evolution of the morbillivirus archetype.
Insights
This review explores human paramyxovirus evolution, noting their short epidemic history and potential future genus division. Evolutionary relationships are deduced by comparing viral nucleotide sequences.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Paramyxoviruses cause epidemic infections, spreading from acutely infected hosts.
- Human paramyxovirus history is relatively short, estimated at 4000-5000 years, due to lack of animal reservoirs or persistent human infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of human viruses, focusing on paramyxoviruses.
- To analyze evolutionary relationships within the paramyxovirus family using genetic sequence data.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of nucleotide sequences of paramyxovirus genes and genomes.
- Review of existing literature on paramyxovirus epidemics and evolution.
Main Results:
- Paramyxovirus epidemic history is limited, suggesting recent emergence or evolution.
- Analysis of morbillivirus genus reveals two distinct pairs: canine/phocid viruses and rinderpest/measles viruses.
- Speculation on the role of recombination in the evolution of the morbillivirus archetype.
Conclusions:
- Paramyxovirus evolution can be studied through genetic sequence comparison.
- The current paramyxovirus genus may be reclassified into two distinct genera in the future.
- Recombination is a potential factor in the evolutionary history of morbilliviruses.