Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV), a Flaviviridae family member, has been linked to severe neurological disorders. Despite detailed studies on recent outbreaks, the early evolutionary history of ZIKV remains partially unclear. This study elucidates ZIKV origin and evolutionary dynamics, focusing on reco...

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Main Authors: Nicola Zadra, Annapaola Rizzoli, Omar Rota-Stabelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Virus Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168170224001837
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author Nicola Zadra
Annapaola Rizzoli
Omar Rota-Stabelli
author_facet Nicola Zadra
Annapaola Rizzoli
Omar Rota-Stabelli
author_sort Nicola Zadra
collection DOAJ
description Background: Zika virus (ZIKV), a Flaviviridae family member, has been linked to severe neurological disorders. Despite detailed studies on recent outbreaks, the early evolutionary history of ZIKV remains partially unclear. This study elucidates ZIKV origin and evolutionary dynamics, focusing on recombination events, early lineage diversification, and virus spread across continents. Methods: We assessed recombination using multiple methods. We conducted Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to understand the evolutionary relationships and timing of key diversification events. Model selection was carried out to determine the most appropriate evolutionary model for our dataset. Results: Our phylogenies revealed recent recombination between Singaporean and African lineages, indicating the co-circulation of diverse lineages during outbreaks. Thailand was identified as a crucial hub in the spread across Asia. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that the ZIKV lineage dates back to the eleventh century, with the first significant diversification occurring in the nineteenth century. The timing of the re-introduction of the Asian lineage into Africa and the delay between probable introduction and outbreak onset were also determined. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into ZIKV's origin and early evolutionary dynamics, highlighting Thailand's role in the spread of the virus in Asia and recent recombination events between distant lineages. These findings emphasize the need for continuous surveillance and a better understanding of ZIKV biology to forecast and mitigate future outbreaks.
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spelling doaj-art-85605df5ac3d401d9d7b6b6735e122f92025-08-20T01:58:08ZengElsevierVirus Research1872-74922024-12-0135019949010.1016/j.virusres.2024.199490Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spreadNicola Zadra0Annapaola Rizzoli1Omar Rota-Stabelli2Conservation Genomics Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, Trento, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy; Corresponding author at: NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy.Applied Ecology Research Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele All'Adige, Trento, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, ItalyCenter Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, 38010, San Michele all'Adige, TN, ItalyBackground: Zika virus (ZIKV), a Flaviviridae family member, has been linked to severe neurological disorders. Despite detailed studies on recent outbreaks, the early evolutionary history of ZIKV remains partially unclear. This study elucidates ZIKV origin and evolutionary dynamics, focusing on recombination events, early lineage diversification, and virus spread across continents. Methods: We assessed recombination using multiple methods. We conducted Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to understand the evolutionary relationships and timing of key diversification events. Model selection was carried out to determine the most appropriate evolutionary model for our dataset. Results: Our phylogenies revealed recent recombination between Singaporean and African lineages, indicating the co-circulation of diverse lineages during outbreaks. Thailand was identified as a crucial hub in the spread across Asia. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that the ZIKV lineage dates back to the eleventh century, with the first significant diversification occurring in the nineteenth century. The timing of the re-introduction of the Asian lineage into Africa and the delay between probable introduction and outbreak onset were also determined. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into ZIKV's origin and early evolutionary dynamics, highlighting Thailand's role in the spread of the virus in Asia and recent recombination events between distant lineages. These findings emphasize the need for continuous surveillance and a better understanding of ZIKV biology to forecast and mitigate future outbreaks.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168170224001837Zika virusRe-emerging diseasePhylogenyVirus phylodynamicsMolecular clock
spellingShingle Nicola Zadra
Annapaola Rizzoli
Omar Rota-Stabelli
Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread
Virus Research
Zika virus
Re-emerging disease
Phylogeny
Virus phylodynamics
Molecular clock
title Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread
title_full Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread
title_fullStr Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread
title_full_unstemmed Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread
title_short Comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of Zika virus: Insights into its origin, past evolutionary dynamics, and global spread
title_sort comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of zika virus insights into its origin past evolutionary dynamics and global spread
topic Zika virus
Re-emerging disease
Phylogeny
Virus phylodynamics
Molecular clock
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168170224001837
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