Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways

Abstract Recent Monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreaks in non-endemic regions have highlighted the need for genomic surveillance to support epidemiological investigations and monitor viral evolution. In this paper we present the results of genomic characterization and analyses of mechanisms of human adapt...

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Main Authors: Alessandra Mistral De Pascali, Ludovica Ingletto, Martina Brandolini, Ettore Rocchi, Martina Tarozzi, Maria Elena Turba, Rita Casadio, Fabio Gentilini, Giulia Gatti, Laura Dionisi, Claudia Colosimo, Massimiliano Guerra, Silvia Zannoli, Giorgio Dirani, Maria Sofia Montanari, Anna Marzucco, Laura Grumiro, Giada Rossini, Tiziana Lazzarotto, Monica Cricca, Gastone Castellani, Vittorio Sambri, Alessandra Scagliarini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11855-5
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author Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
Ludovica Ingletto
Martina Brandolini
Ettore Rocchi
Martina Tarozzi
Maria Elena Turba
Rita Casadio
Fabio Gentilini
Giulia Gatti
Laura Dionisi
Claudia Colosimo
Massimiliano Guerra
Silvia Zannoli
Giorgio Dirani
Maria Sofia Montanari
Anna Marzucco
Laura Grumiro
Giada Rossini
Tiziana Lazzarotto
Monica Cricca
Gastone Castellani
Vittorio Sambri
Alessandra Scagliarini
author_facet Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
Ludovica Ingletto
Martina Brandolini
Ettore Rocchi
Martina Tarozzi
Maria Elena Turba
Rita Casadio
Fabio Gentilini
Giulia Gatti
Laura Dionisi
Claudia Colosimo
Massimiliano Guerra
Silvia Zannoli
Giorgio Dirani
Maria Sofia Montanari
Anna Marzucco
Laura Grumiro
Giada Rossini
Tiziana Lazzarotto
Monica Cricca
Gastone Castellani
Vittorio Sambri
Alessandra Scagliarini
author_sort Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Recent Monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreaks in non-endemic regions have highlighted the need for genomic surveillance to support epidemiological investigations and monitor viral evolution. In this paper we present the results of genomic characterization and analyses of mechanisms of human adaptation, including APOBEC-style mutations, performed on 11 MPXV isolates, collected from May to September 2022, from Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed all strains belonged to Clade IIb. Viruses from male patients were classified within lineage B (sub-lineages B.1, B.1.3, B.1.12), while a strain from a female patient was assigned to lineage A (A.2.3), with epidemiological links to Ghana. This represents the fourth detection of an A.2.3 strain of African origin outside the continent. Disruptions were identified in two genes: OPG176 (similar to VACV-Cop A46R), as reported in lineage A, and OPG023 (similar to VACV-Cop D7L), resulting in protein truncation that may suggest a possible pattern of human adaptation. These findings further enhance our understanding of MPXV Clade IIb diversity through characterization of a rarer variant giving insights from a less explored epidemiological pathway.
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spelling doaj-art-8e5cbceb17044bd2a7d6059c9f43b4992025-08-20T03:46:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-11855-5Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathwaysAlessandra Mistral De Pascali0Ludovica Ingletto1Martina Brandolini2Ettore Rocchi3Martina Tarozzi4Maria Elena Turba5Rita Casadio6Fabio Gentilini7Giulia Gatti8Laura Dionisi9Claudia Colosimo10Massimiliano Guerra11Silvia Zannoli12Giorgio Dirani13Maria Sofia Montanari14Anna Marzucco15Laura Grumiro16Giada Rossini17Tiziana Lazzarotto18Monica Cricca19Gastone Castellani20Vittorio Sambri21Alessandra Scagliarini22Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaXenturion Diagnostics srlInstitute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of BolognaUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaUnit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub LaboratoryDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaAbstract Recent Monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreaks in non-endemic regions have highlighted the need for genomic surveillance to support epidemiological investigations and monitor viral evolution. In this paper we present the results of genomic characterization and analyses of mechanisms of human adaptation, including APOBEC-style mutations, performed on 11 MPXV isolates, collected from May to September 2022, from Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed all strains belonged to Clade IIb. Viruses from male patients were classified within lineage B (sub-lineages B.1, B.1.3, B.1.12), while a strain from a female patient was assigned to lineage A (A.2.3), with epidemiological links to Ghana. This represents the fourth detection of an A.2.3 strain of African origin outside the continent. Disruptions were identified in two genes: OPG176 (similar to VACV-Cop A46R), as reported in lineage A, and OPG023 (similar to VACV-Cop D7L), resulting in protein truncation that may suggest a possible pattern of human adaptation. These findings further enhance our understanding of MPXV Clade IIb diversity through characterization of a rarer variant giving insights from a less explored epidemiological pathway.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11855-5
spellingShingle Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
Ludovica Ingletto
Martina Brandolini
Ettore Rocchi
Martina Tarozzi
Maria Elena Turba
Rita Casadio
Fabio Gentilini
Giulia Gatti
Laura Dionisi
Claudia Colosimo
Massimiliano Guerra
Silvia Zannoli
Giorgio Dirani
Maria Sofia Montanari
Anna Marzucco
Laura Grumiro
Giada Rossini
Tiziana Lazzarotto
Monica Cricca
Gastone Castellani
Vittorio Sambri
Alessandra Scagliarini
Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
Scientific Reports
title Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
title_full Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
title_fullStr Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
title_short Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
title_sort understanding the evolutionary dynamics of monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11855-5
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