Global population dynamics and evolutionary selection in classical swine fever virus complete genomes: insights from...

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a pathogen that affects pigs and wild boars. This contagious RNA virus is a high threat to swine industries throughout the world because it has high mortality and morbidity rates, leading to economic losses. Although some studies have analyzed whole-genome sequences, but often focus on isolates from only a few countries, while others started with whole-genome analysis before narrowing down to specific gene region like E2. In addition, several studies have predominantly focused on isolated geographic regions. Our study leverages a global dataset of 220 CSFV whole-genome sequences retrieved from the NCBI repository along with two CSFV complete genome sequence from our laboratory (Accession Number: MH734359.1 and OR4282229.1) and carefully curated to 66 sequences. The refined dataset was subjected to Bayesian analysis along with selection pressure analysis. The outcome of this experiment, the mean substitution rate was estimated at 2.06 × 10^-3 substitutions/site/year with the Highest Posterior Density (HPD) (95% HPD 6.8012 × 10^-4 to 3.3044 × 10^-3), and the estimated average time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) for the analyzed dataset was the year 1877 (95% HPD 1833.8181-1932.3176). Among the curated dataset, 2 CSFV complete genome sequences (Accession Number: MH734359.1 and OR428229.1) from our laboratory showed a Chinese origin. In addition, pervasive and episodic selection pressure revealed that both had ongoing diversifying natural positive selection, which could lead to increased genetic diversity and possibly emergence of the new lineage. This potential information could be used for future evaluation of strategies to control emerging new genotypes of CSFV with high mortality and morbidity.