Large, Stable, Contemporary Interspecies Recombination Events in Circulating Human Herpes Simplex Viruses.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ubiquitous human pathogens, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2, are distinct viral species that diverged approximately 6 million years ago. At least 4 small, ancient HSV-1 × HSV-2 interspecies recombination events have affected the HSV-2 genome, with recombinants and nonrecombinants at each locus circulating today. However, it is unknown whether interspecies recombination can affect other loci and whether new recombinants continue to be generated.

Methods

Using 255 newly sequenced and 230 existing HSV genome sequences, we comprehensively assessed interspecies recombination in HSV.

Results

Our findings show that the sizes and locations of interspecies recombination events in HSV-2 are significantly more variable than previously appreciated and that t

SUBMITTER: Casto AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7325804 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature