Differences in Genetic Diversity of Mammalian Tick-Borne Flaviviruses

Kassandra L. Carpio, Jill K. Thompson, Steven G. Widen, Jennifer K. Smith, Terry L. Juelich, David E. Clements, Alexander N. Freiberg, Alan D.T. Barrett

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The genetic diversities of mammalian tick-borne flaviviruses are poorly understood. We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to deep sequence different viruses and strains belonging to this group of flaviviruses, including Central European tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV-Eur), Far Eastern TBEV (TBEV-FE), Langat (LGTV), Powassan (POWV), Deer Tick (DTV), Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFDV), Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHFV), and Omsk hemorrhagic fever (OHFV) viruses. DTV, AHFV, and KFDV had the lowest genetic diversity, while POWV strains LEIV-5530 and LB, OHFV, TBEV-Eur, and TBEV-FE had higher genetic diversities. These findings are compatible with the phylogenetic relationships between the viruses. For DTV and POWV, the amount of genetic diversity could be explained by the number of tick vector species and amplification hosts each virus can occupy, with low diversity DTV having a more limited vector and host pool, while POWV with higher genetic diversities has been isolated from different tick species and mammals. It is speculated that high genetic diversity may contribute to the survival of the virus as it encounters these different environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number281
JournalViruses
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus
  • Deer Tick virus
  • Far Eastern tick-borne encephalitis virus
  • Kyasanur Forest Disease virus
  • Langat virus
  • Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus
  • Powassan virus
  • flavivirus
  • genetic diversity
  • tick-borne encephalitis virus
  • tick-borne viruses

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

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