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Origin and evolution of Nipah virus

Alessandra Lo Presti1, Eleonora Cella1,2, Marta Giovanetti1,3

  • 1Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Reference Centre on Phylogeny, Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Journal of Medical Virology
|August 8, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Nipah virus, a dangerous pathogen, originated in Southeast Asia around 1947. Genetic analysis reveals two distinct introductions of the virus, likely spread by bats and infected pigs.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nipah virus is a highly pathogenic Paramyxoviridae family member, classified as a Biosafety Level-4 agent and priority pathogen.
  • Nipah virus disease is endemic in South Asia, with outbreaks documented in Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Bangladesh.
  • Fruit bats of the genus Pteropus are identified as the natural reservoir for Nipah virus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic diversity of Nipah virus.
  • To estimate the origin date and spread patterns of Nipah virus infection.
  • To understand the evolutionary dynamics and introduction events of Nipah virus.

Main Methods:

  • Time-scaled phylogenetic analysis of Nipah virus N gene sequences.
  • Estimation of evolutionary rates and divergence times using Bayesian inference.
  • Phylogeographic reconstruction to trace the geographical spread of the virus.

Main Results:

  • The mean evolutionary rate of the Nipah virus N gene was estimated at 6.5 × 10⁻⁴ substitutions/site/year.
  • Phylogenetic analysis indicated the virus originated around 1947 in Southeast Asia.
  • Two distinct introductions were identified: one in 1985 (clade II) and another in 1995 (clade I).

Conclusions:

  • Nipah virus has undergone multiple introductions into populations, with distinct clades suggesting separate introduction events.
  • The spread of Nipah virus may be facilitated by the trade of infected pigs and the long-distance movements of Pteropus bats.
  • Identifying negatively selected sites suggests potential stability in the viral Nucleoprotein (N) protein.
Keywords:
Nipah virusevolutionphylogeny

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