| Autor: |
de Campos GM; Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14051-140, Brazil., Cella E; Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA., Kashima S; Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14051-140, Brazil., Alcântara LCJ; Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil.; Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE), Rio de Janeiro 21341-210, Brazil., Sampaio SC; Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Center for Scientific Development (CDC), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil., Elias MC; Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Center for Scientific Development (CDC), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil., Giovanetti M; Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil.; Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE), Rio de Janeiro 21341-210, Brazil.; Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, 00128 Rome, Italy., Slavov SN; Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14051-140, Brazil.; Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Center for Scientific Development (CDC), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
Nipah virus (NiV), a biosafety level 4 agent, was first identified in human clinical cases during an outbreak in 1998 in Malaysia and Singapore. While flying foxes are the primary host and viral vector, the infection is associated with a severe clinical presentation in humans, resulting in a high mortality rate. Therefore, NiV is considered a virus with an elevated epidemic potential which is further underscored by its recent emergence (September 2023) as an outbreak in India. Given the situation, it is paramount to understand the molecular dynamics of the virus to shed more light on its evolution and prevent potential future outbreaks. In this study, we conducted Bayesian phylogenetic analysis on all available NiV complete genomes, including partial N-gene NiV sequences (≥1000 bp) in public databases since the first human case, registered in 1998. We observed the distribution of genomes into three main clades corresponding to the genotypes Malaysia, Bangladesh and India, with the Malaysian clade being the oldest in evolutionary terms. The Bayesian skyline plot showed a recent increase in the viral population size since 2019. Protein analysis showed the presence of specific protein families (Hendra_C) in bats that might keep the infection in an asymptomatic state in bats, which also serve as viral vectors. Our results further indicate a shortage of complete NiV genomes, which would be instrumental in gaining a better understanding of NiV's molecular evolution and preventing future outbreaks. Our investigation also underscores the critical need to strengthen genomic surveillance based on complete NiV genomes that will aid thorough genetic characterization of the circulating NiV strains and the phylogenetic relationships between the henipaviruses. This approach will better prepare us to tackle the challenges posed by the NiV virus and other emerging viruses. |
