Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are maintained in nature by cycling between vertebrate hosts and haematophagous invertebrate vectors. These viruses are responsible for causing a significant public health burden throughout the world, with over 100 species having the capacity to cause human disease. Arbovirus outbreaks in previously naïve environments demonstrate the potential of these pathogens for expansion and emergence, possibly exacerbated more recently by changing climates. These recent outbreaks, together with the continued devastation caused by endemic viruses, such as Dengue virus which persists in many areas, demonstrate the need to better understand the selective pressures that shape arbovirus evolution. Specifically, a comprehensive understanding of host-virus interactions and how they shape both host-specific and virus-specific evolutionary pressures is needed to fully evaluate the factors that govern the potential for host shifts and geographic expansions. One approach to advance our understanding of the factors influencing arbovirus evolution in nature is the use of experimental studies in the laboratory. Here, we review the contributions that laboratory passage and experimental infection studies have made to the field of arbovirus adaptation and evolution, and how these studies contribute to the overall field of arbovirus evolution. In particular, this review focuses on the areas of evolutionary constraints and mutant swarm dynamics; how experimental results compare to theoretical predictions; the importance of arbovirus ecology in shaping viral swarms; and how current knowledge should guide future questions relevant to understanding arbovirus evolution.
Highlights
Arthropod-borne viruses are unique in that they require cycling between disparate hosts, i.e., vertebrates and hematophagous arthropod vectors
Most human disease resulting from arboviruses is a consequence of spillover from enzootic cycles, humans act as amplifying hosts in ‘urban’ cycles of such arboviruses as Dengue virus (DENV), Yellow fever virus (YFV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV)
Other arboviruses of veterinary importance, such as Usutu virus and blue tongue virus (BTV), have recently emerged for the first time in Europe and had significant effects on wildlife and livestock populations [24,25]. These recent outbreaks, together with the continued devastation caused by viruses such as DENV, YFV, and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which remain endemic throughout their geographic range, demonstrate the need to better understand the selective pressures that shape arbovirus evolution and emergence
Summary
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are unique in that they require cycling between disparate hosts, i.e., vertebrates and hematophagous arthropod vectors. Other arboviruses of veterinary importance, such as Usutu virus and BTV, have recently emerged for the first time in Europe and had significant effects on wildlife and livestock populations [24,25]. These recent outbreaks, together with the continued devastation caused by viruses such as DENV, YFV, and JEV, which remain endemic throughout their geographic range, demonstrate the need to better understand the selective pressures that shape arbovirus evolution and emergence. This review focuses on the areas of evolutionary constraints and mutant swarm dynamics, how experimental results compare to theoretical predictions, the importance of arbovirus ecology in shaping viral swarms, and how current knowledge should guide future questions relevant to understanding arbovirus evolution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
