Complete genome sequences and phylogenetic analysis of two West Nile virus strains isolated from equines in Argentina in 2006 could indicate an early introduction of the virus in the Southern Cone

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2014 Nov;14(11):794-800. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1588.

Abstract

The complete nucleotide sequences of two West Nile virus (WNV) strains isolated in Argentina were determined. Phylogenetic trees were constructed from the aligned nucleic acid sequences of these two strains along with other previously published complete WNV genome sequences. Phylogenetic data showed that both strains belonged to clade 1a of lineage 1 and clustered in a subclade with American strains isolated during 1999-2002. These results suggest two independent routes of introduction of WNV in Argentina and that the virus could have been circulating in Argentina for some time before being isolated.

Keywords: Argentina; Equine strain sequences; Flavivirus; West Nile virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Base Sequence
  • Brain / virology
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Genome, Viral / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Vero Cells
  • West Nile Fever / epidemiology
  • West Nile Fever / veterinary*
  • West Nile Fever / virology
  • West Nile virus / classification
  • West Nile virus / genetics*
  • West Nile virus / isolation & purification

Substances

  • RNA, Viral