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Evolution of alphaviruses in the eastern equine encephalomyelitis complex

S C Weaver1, A Hagenbaugh, L A Bellew

  • 1Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093.

Journal of Virology
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus evolution reveals distinct North and South American lineages diverging approximately 1,000 years ago. Recent evolutionary rates accelerated, particularly in North America, following group divergence in the 1970s.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Evolution
  • Phylogenetics

Background:

  • The eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus complex comprises distinct North and South American antigenic varieties.
  • Understanding the evolutionary history and diversification of EEE virus is crucial for disease surveillance and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary pathways and divergence times of EEE virus strains.
  • To estimate the evolutionary rates of different EEE virus lineages.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of viral RNA sequences and oligonucleotide fingerprints.
  • Utilized Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus sequences as an outgroup.
  • Analyzed three separate genomic regions to assess recombination.

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Main Results:

  • Identified three main monophyletic groups: one North American and two South American.
  • No evidence of heterologous recombination was detected.
  • Estimated evolutionary rates: 1.6 x 10^-4 substitutions/nucleotide/year (North America) and 4.3 x 10^-4 (Argentina-Panama South America).
  • North American group's evolutionary rate increased significantly in the early 1970s.
  • North and South American varieties diverged ~1,000 years ago; South American groups diverged ~450 years ago.

Conclusions:

  • The study elucidates the distinct evolutionary trajectories of EEE virus in North and South America.
  • Recent acceleration in North American EEE virus evolution correlates with specific lineage divergence.
  • Geographic isolation can play a role in short-term EEE virus evolution within localized foci.