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Temporal and coevolutionary analyses reveal the events driving the emergence and circulation of human mamastroviruses

Lester J Perez1,2, Kenn Forberg1,2, Gavin A Cloherty1,2

  • 1Infectious Disease Research, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL USA.

Emerging Microbes & Infections
|May 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Mamastroviruses pose a public health threat due to their genetic diversity and host range. This study proposes a new classification system, revealing two recent zoonotic jumps into humans, including one linked to neurological disease.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genomics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mamastroviruses exhibit high genetic diversity and a broad host range, presenting a significant public health concern.
  • Current classification based on host source hinders the identification of emerging strains with distinct tropism or virulence.
  • Neurotropic astroviruses circulating in humans underscore the need for a refined classification system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a standardized demarcation of mamastrovirus species and genotypes using integrated phylogeny.
  • To reconcile pairwise sequence distribution, genetic distances, and topological reconstruction for accurate classification.
  • To identify host-jump events and transmission dynamics of mamastroviruses in humans.

Main Methods:

  • Integrated phylogenetic analysis to establish standardized species and genotype demarcation.
  • Analysis of pairwise sequence distribution and genetic distances between lineages.
  • Demographic reconstruction to resolve transmission chains and identify host-jump events.

Main Results:

  • A standardized classification system for the Mamastrovirus genus was established with reproducible cut-off values.
  • Two significant host-jump events into humans were identified: species 6 genotype 2 from marmots (~200 years ago) and species 6 genotype 7 (MastV-Sp6Gt7) from bovines (~50 years ago).
  • MastV-Sp6Gt7 shows recent rapid population growth and a higher evolutionary rate, indicating active circulation and potential for neurological disease.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed classification system provides a robust framework for understanding mamastrovirus diversity and evolution.
  • Recent zoonotic transmissions highlight the dynamic nature of mamastrovirus circulation in human populations.
  • The high evolutionary rate and active circulation of MastV-Sp6Gt7 necessitate the development of specific diagnostic tools.
Keywords:
Bayesian inference of phylogenyMamastroviruscospeciationhost-jump eventpairwise sequence comparisonzoonotic emergence

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