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Coding-Complete Genome Sequences for Two Confirmed Monkeypox Cases in South Africa 2022
Wai Yin Chan1,2, Phillip Senzo Mtshali1, Antoinette Grobbelaar1
1National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Microbiology Resource Announcements
|November 10, 2022
Summary
Genome sequencing of two South African monkeypox virus (MPXV) cases reveals they belong to the B.1 lineage, consistent with the 2022 global outbreak strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a double-stranded DNA virus causing human mpox.
- The 2022 multicountry outbreak marked a significant global spread of the virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize MPXV strains from recent human cases in South Africa.
- To determine the phylogenetic relationship of these South African isolates to other MPXV strains.
Main Methods:
- Whole-genome sequencing of MPXV from clinical samples (skin lesion swabs).
- Phylogenetic analysis to compare genetic sequences with global MPXV isolates.
Main Results:
- Complete genome sequences were obtained from two human MPXV cases in South Africa.
- The South African MPXV strains cluster with viruses from the 2022 multicountry outbreak.
- The viruses belong to the human MPXV-1 (hMPXV-1) clade, previously known as the West Africa clade, and the B.1 lineage.
Conclusions:
- The genetic data confirm the presence of the 2022 outbreak lineage in South Africa.
- These findings contribute to understanding the geographic spread and genetic diversity of MPXV during the global outbreak.
