scholarly journals Punctuated evolution of myxoma virus: rapid and disjunct evolution of a recent viral lineage in Australia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Kerr ◽  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
Francesca Di Giallonardo ◽  
David Peacock ◽  
June Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Selection Pressures ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Evolutionary Event ◽  
European Rabbits

ABSTRACTMyxoma virus (MYXV) has been evolving in a novel host species – European rabbits – in Australia since 1950. Previous studies of viruses sampled from 1950 to 1999 revealed a remarkably clock-like evolutionary process across all Australian lineages of MYXV. Through an analysis of 49 newly generated MYXV genome sequences isolated in Australia between 2008 and 2017 we show that MYXV evolution in Australia can be characterized by three lineages, one of which exhibited a greatly elevated rate of evolutionary change and a dramatic break-down of temporal structure. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this apparently punctuated evolutionary event occurred between 1996 and 2012. The branch leading to the rapidly evolving lineage contained a relatively high number of non-synonymous substitutions, and viruses in this lineage reversed a mutation found in the progenitor standard laboratory strain (SLS) and all previous sequences that disrupts the reading frame of theM005L/Rgene. Analysis of genes encoding proteins involved in DNA synthesis or RNA transcription did not reveal any mutations likely to cause rapid evolution. Although there was some evidence for recombination across the MYXV phylogeny, this was not associated with the increase in evolutionary rate. The period from 1996 to 2012 saw significant declines in wild rabbit numbers, due to the introduction of rabbit hemorrhagic disease and prolonged drought in south-eastern Australia, followed by the partial recovery of populations. We therefore suggest that a rapidly changing environment for virus transmission changed the selection pressures faced by MYXV and altered the course of virus evolution.IMPORTANCEThe co-evolution of myxoma virus (MYXV) and European rabbits in Australia is one of the most important natural ‘experiments’ in evolutionary biology, providing insights into virus adaptation to new hosts and the evolution of virulence. Previous studies of MYXV evolution have also shown that the virus evolves both relatively rapidly and in a strongly clock-like manner. Using newly acquired MYXV genome sequences from Australia we show that the virus has experienced a dramatic change in evolutionary behavior over the last 20 years, with a break-down in clock-like structure, the appearance of a rapidly evolving virus lineage, and the accumulation of multiple non-synonymous and indel mutations. We suggest that this punctuated evolutionary event likely reflects a change in selection pressures as rabbit numbers declined following the introduction of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and drought in the geographic regions inhabited by rabbits.

scholarly journals Punctuated Evolution of Myxoma Virus: Rapid and Disjunct Evolution of a Recent Viral Lineage in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Kerr ◽  
John-Sebastian Eden ◽  
Francesca Di Giallonardo ◽  
David Peacock ◽  
June Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Selection Pressures ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Evolutionary Event ◽  
European Rabbits

ABSTRACTMyxoma virus (MYXV) has been evolving in a novel host species—European rabbits—in Australia since 1950. Previous studies of viruses sampled from 1950 to 1999 revealed a remarkably clock-like evolutionary process across all Australian lineages of MYXV. Through an analysis of 49 newly generated MYXV genome sequences isolated in Australia between 2008 and 2017, we show that MYXV evolution in Australia can be characterized by three lineages, one of which exhibited a greatly elevated rate of evolutionary change and a dramatic breakdown of temporal structure. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this apparently punctuated evolutionary event occurred between 1996 and 2012. The branch leading to the rapidly evolving lineage contained a relatively high number of nonsynonymous substitutions, and viruses in this lineage reversed a mutation found in the progenitor standard laboratory strain (SLS) and all previous sequences that disrupts the reading frame of theM005L/Rgene. Analysis of genes encoding proteins involved in DNA synthesis or RNA transcription did not reveal any mutations likely to cause rapid evolution. Although there was some evidence for recombination across the MYXV phylogeny, this was not associated with the increase in the evolutionary rate. The period from 1996 to 2012 saw significant declines in wild rabbit numbers, due to the introduction of rabbit hemorrhagic disease and prolonged drought in southeastern Australia, followed by the partial recovery of populations. It is therefore possible that a rapidly changing environment for virus transmission changed the selection pressures faced by MYXV, altering the course and pace of virus evolution.IMPORTANCEThe coevolution of myxoma virus (MYXV) and European rabbits in Australia is one of the most important natural experiments in evolutionary biology, providing insights into virus adaptation to new hosts and the evolution of virulence. Previous studies of MYXV evolution have also shown that the virus evolves both relatively rapidly and in a strongly clock-like manner. Using newly acquired MYXV genome sequences from Australia, we show that the virus has experienced a dramatic change in evolutionary behavior over the last 20 years, with a breakdown in clock-like structure, the appearance of a rapidly evolving virus lineage, and the accumulation of multiple nonsynonymous and indel mutations. We suggest that this punctuated evolutionary event may reflect a change in selection pressures as rabbit numbers declined following the introduction of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus and drought in the geographic regions inhabited by rabbits.

scholarly journals Towards a unique and transmissible vaccine against myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease for rabbit populations

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Angulo ◽  
Juan Bárcena
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Virus ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Vaccine Strategy ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

Currently available vaccines against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are not suited to immunise wild rabbit populations, as vaccines need to be delivered individually by conventional veterinary practices. As an alternative approach, research in Spain has focused on the development of a transmissible vaccine. A recombinant virus has been constructed based on a naturally attenuated myxoma virus (MV) field strain, expressing the RHDV capsid protein (VP60). Following inoculation of rabbits, the recombinant virus (MV-VP60) induced specific antibody responses against MV and RHDV, conferring protection against lethal challenges with both viruses. Furthermore, the recombinant MV-VP60 virus showed a limited horizontal transmission capacity, either by direct contact or in a flea-mediated process, promoting immunisation of contact uninoculated animals. Efficacy and safety of the vaccine have been extensively evaluated under laboratory conditions and in a limited field trial. The development of the transmissible vaccine strategy and the steps being taken to obtain the marketing authorisation for the vaccine in the European Union are presented in this review.

scholarly journals Multiple Introductions of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2 in Africa

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Faten Ben Chehida ◽  
Ana M. Lopes ◽  
João V. Côrte-Real ◽  
Soufien Sghaier ◽  
Rim Aouini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
New Genotype

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) causes high mortality and morbidity in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In Africa, the presence of the causative agent, the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), was first confirmed in 1992 (genotype Lagovirus europaeus/GI.1). In 2015, the new genotype Lagovirus europaeus/GI.2 (RHDV2/b) was detected in Tunisia. Currently, GI.2 strains are present in several North and Sub-Saharan African countries. Considerable economic losses have been observed in industrial and traditional African rabbitries due to RHDV. Like other RNA viruses, this virus presents high recombination rates, with the emergence of GI.2 being associated with a recombinant strain. Recombination events have been detected with both pathogenic (GI.1b and GII.1) and benign (GI.3 and GI.4) strains. We obtained complete genome sequences of Tunisian GI.2 strains collected between 2018 and 2020 and carried out phylogenetic analyses. The results revealed that Tunisian strains are GI.3P-GI.2 strains that were most likely introduced from Europe. In addition, the results support the occurrence of multiple introductions of GI.2 into Africa, stressing the need for characterizing complete genome sequences of the circulating lagoviruses to uncover their origin. Continued monitoring and control of rabbit trade will grant a better containment of the disease and reduce the disease-associated economic losses.

scholarly journals Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of Emerging Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 Isolates Detected in 2020 in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. K. O’Donnell ◽  
L. Xu ◽  
K. Moran ◽  
F. Mohamed ◽  
T. Boston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Disease Virus Type

ABSTRACT Five rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) coding-complete genome sequences were obtained from the livers of domestic and wild rabbits during the 2020 outbreak in the United States. These represent the first available RHDV2 sequences from the United States.

scholarly journals Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2; GI.2) Is Replacing Endemic Strains of RHDV in the Australian Landscape within 18 Months of Its Arrival

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackie E. Mahar ◽  
Robyn N. Hall ◽  
David Peacock ◽  
John Kovaliski ◽  
Melissa Piper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
New Host ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Initial Description ◽  
Ongoing Surveillance

ABSTRACTRabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2(RHDV2;LagovirusGI.2) is a pathogenic calicivirus that affects European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and various hare (Lepus) species. GI.2 was first detected in France in 2010 and subsequently caused epidemics in wild and domestic lagomorph populations throughout Europe. In May 2015, GI.2 was detected in Australia. Within 18 months of its initial detection, GI.2 had spread to all Australian states and territories and rapidly became the dominant circulating strain, replacingRabbit hemorrhagic disease virus(RHDV/GI.1) in mainland Australia. Reconstruction of the evolutionary history of 127 Australian GI.2 isolates revealed that the virus arrived in Australia at least several months before its initial description and likely circulated unnoticed in wild rabbit populations in the east of the continent prior to its detection. GI.2 sequences isolated from five hares clustered with sequences from sympatric rabbit populations sampled contemporaneously, indicating multiple spillover events into hares rather than an adaptation of the Australian GI.2 to a new host. Since the presence of GI.2 in Australia may have wide-ranging consequences for rabbit biocontrol, particularly with the release of the novel biocontrol agent GI.1a/RHDVa-K5 in March 2017, ongoing surveillance is critical to understanding the interactions of the various lagoviruses in Australia and their impact on host populations.IMPORTANCEThis study describes the spread and distribution ofRabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2(GI.2) in Australia since its first detection in May 2015. Within the first 18 months following its detection, RHDV2 spread from east to west across the continent and became the dominant strain in all mainland states of Australia. This has important implications for pest animal management and for owners of pet and farmed rabbits, as there currently is no effective vaccine available in Australia for GI.2. The closely related RHDV (GI.1) is used to control overabundant wild rabbits, a serious environmental and agricultural pest in this country, and it is currently unclear how the widespread circulation of GI.2 will impact ongoing targeted wild rabbit management operations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document