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Complete Genome Sequences of Chikungunya Viruses Isolated from Plasma Specimens Collected from Haitians in 2014
Sarah K White1,2, J Glenn Morris2,3, Maha A Elbadry1,2
1Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Insights
Sequencing of ten chikungunya virus isolates from Haiti during a 2014 outbreak revealed nearly identical genomes. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed these chikungunya virus strains belong to the Asian lineage.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes febrile illness.
- An outbreak of chikungunya fever occurred in Haiti from May to August 2014.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence and analyze CHIKV isolates from the Haitian outbreak.
- To determine the genetic characteristics and lineage of the circulating CHIKV strains.
Main Methods:
- Full genome sequencing of ten CHIKV isolates from human plasma.
- Phylogenetic analysis of genomic sequences.
Main Results:
- The ten CHIKV isolates exhibited highly similar genomic sequences.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed the Haitian CHIKV isolates within the Asian lineage.
Conclusions:
- The 2014 Haitian chikungunya fever outbreak was caused by a genetically homogeneous CHIKV strain.
- The Asian lineage of CHIKV was circulating in Haiti during the 2014 outbreak.
Abstract:
Ten chikungunya virus isolates from human plasma collected in Haiti from May to August 2014, in the midst of a chikungunya fever outbreak, were fully sequenced. The resulting genomic sequences are nearly identical, and phylogenetic analyses indicate they belong to the Asian lineage of the virus.
