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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Vector Competence Analyses on Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes using Zika Virus

Vector Competence Analyses on Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes using Zika Virus

Published on: May 31, 2020

Evolutionary processes among sylvatic dengue type 2 viruses.

Nikos Vasilakis¹, Edward C Holmes, Eric B Fokam

¹Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0609, USA.

Journal of Virology

|June 8, 2007

Summary

Sylvatic dengue viruses (DENV) evolve similarly to human strains but show unique positive selection in the NS4B gene. This suggests recent cross-species transmission and potential for future DENV reemergence.

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Area of Science:

Virology
Evolutionary Biology
Epidemiology

Background:

Sylvatic dengue viruses (DENV) circulate in a cycle between nonhuman primates and mosquitoes in Southeast Asia and West Africa.
Limited understanding exists regarding the evolutionary dynamics of DENV within its sylvatic (non-human) transmission cycle.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary rate and natural selection patterns of sylvatic Dengue type 2 virus (DENV-2).
To compare the evolution of sylvatic DENV-2 with that of endemic (human-adapted) DENV strains.
To assess the implications of sylvatic DENV evolution for potential future outbreaks.

Main Methods:

Analysis of 14 complete coding regions of sylvatic DENV-2.
Sampling across a 33-year period to capture evolutionary changes.
Comparative analysis of evolutionary rates and selection patterns between sylvatic and endemic DENV.

Main Results:

Sylvatic DENV-2 exhibits evolutionary rates and selection patterns comparable to endemic DENV.
A notably high frequency of positive selection was identified in the NS4B protein gene of sylvatic DENV.
Findings indicate a recent cross-species transmission event from an animal reservoir to humans.

Conclusions:

The sylvatic cycle of DENV maintains evolutionary processes similar to those in humans.
The NS4B gene in sylvatic DENV is under significant positive selection, potentially driving adaptation.
The sylvatic reservoir poses a risk for future DENV reemergence into human populations.