TY - JOUR
T1 - Chikungunya viruses containing the A226V mutation detected retrospectively in Cameroon form a new geographical subclade
AU - Agbodzi, Bright
AU - Yousseu, Francine Berlange Sado
AU - Simo, Fredy Brice Nemg
AU - Kumordjie, Selassie
AU - Yeboah, Clara
AU - Mosore, Mba Tihssommah
AU - Bentil, Ronald E.
AU - Prieto, Karla
AU - Colston, Sophie M.
AU - Attram, Naiki
AU - Nimo-Paintsil, Shirley
AU - Fox, Anne T.
AU - Bonney, Joseph H.K.
AU - Ampofo, William
AU - Coatsworth, Heather G.
AU - Dinglasan, Rhoel R.
AU - Wolfe, David M.
AU - Wiley, Michael R.
AU - Demanou, Maurice
AU - Letizia, Andrew G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s)
PY - 2021/12
Y1 - 2021/12
N2 - Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging arbovirus associated with sporadic outbreaks in Cameroon since 2006. Viral whole genomes were generated to analyze the origins of evolutionary lineages, the potential of emergence/re-emergence, and to infer transmission dynamics of recent Cameroon CHIKV outbreak strains. Methods: Samples collected between 2016 and 2019 during CHIKV outbreaks in Cameroon were screened for CHIKV using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), followed by whole genome sequencing of positive samples. Results: Three coding-complete CHIKV genomes were obtained from samples, which belong to an emerging sub-lineage of the East/Central/South African genotype and formed a monophyletic taxon with previous Central African strains. This clade, which we have named the new Central African clade, appears to be evolving at 3.0 × 10−4 nucleotide substitutions per site per year (95% highest posterior density (HPD) interval of 1.94 × 10−4 to 4.1 × 10−4). Notably, mutations in the envelope proteins (E1-A226V, E2-L210Q, and E2-I211T), which are known to enhance CHIKV adaptability and infectious potential in Aedes albopictus, were present in all strains and mapped to established high-density Ae. albopictus populations. Conclusions: These new CHIKV strains constitute a conserved genomic pool of an emerging sub-lineage, reflecting a putative vector host adaptation to Ae. albopictus, which has practically displaced Aedes aegypti from select regions of Cameroon.
AB - Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging arbovirus associated with sporadic outbreaks in Cameroon since 2006. Viral whole genomes were generated to analyze the origins of evolutionary lineages, the potential of emergence/re-emergence, and to infer transmission dynamics of recent Cameroon CHIKV outbreak strains. Methods: Samples collected between 2016 and 2019 during CHIKV outbreaks in Cameroon were screened for CHIKV using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), followed by whole genome sequencing of positive samples. Results: Three coding-complete CHIKV genomes were obtained from samples, which belong to an emerging sub-lineage of the East/Central/South African genotype and formed a monophyletic taxon with previous Central African strains. This clade, which we have named the new Central African clade, appears to be evolving at 3.0 × 10−4 nucleotide substitutions per site per year (95% highest posterior density (HPD) interval of 1.94 × 10−4 to 4.1 × 10−4). Notably, mutations in the envelope proteins (E1-A226V, E2-L210Q, and E2-I211T), which are known to enhance CHIKV adaptability and infectious potential in Aedes albopictus, were present in all strains and mapped to established high-density Ae. albopictus populations. Conclusions: These new CHIKV strains constitute a conserved genomic pool of an emerging sub-lineage, reflecting a putative vector host adaptation to Ae. albopictus, which has practically displaced Aedes aegypti from select regions of Cameroon.
KW - Aedes albopictus
KW - Cameroon
KW - Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)
KW - E1-A226V
KW - New Central African Clade (nCAC)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118120044&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.058
DO - 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.058
M3 - Article
C2 - 34592442
AN - SCOPUS:85118120044
SN - 1201-9712
VL - 113
SP - 65
EP - 73
JO - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
JF - International Journal of Infectious Diseases
ER -