Everglades virus evolution: Genome sequence analysis of the envelope 1 protein reveals recent mutation and divergence in South Florida wetlands.

ABSTRACT: Everglades virus (EVEV) is a subtype (II) of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), endemic in southern Florida, USA. EVEV has caused clinical encephalitis in humans, and antibodies have been found in a variety of wild and domesticated mammals. Over 29,000 Culex cedecei females, the main vector of EVEV, were collected in 2017 from Big Cypress and Fakahatchee Strand Preserves in Florida and pool-screened for the presence of EVEV using reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. The entire 1 E1 protein gene was successfully sequenced from fifteen positive pools. Phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates clustered, based on the location of sampling, into two monophyletic clades that diverged in 2009. Structural analyses revealed two mutations of interest, A

SUBMITTER: Valente MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9795574 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature