Role of Inter- and Intra-host Genetics in Arbovirus Evolution
Alexander T. Ciota and Gregory D. Ebel
from: Arboviruses: Molecular Biology, Evolution and Control (Edited by: Nikos Vasilakis and Duane J. Gubler). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2016) Pages: 167-174.
Abstract
The global expansion of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) in recent decades has significantly increased the public health threat from these pathogens, but the inherently diverse nature of viral RNA genomes both within and between hosts and vectors makes accurately characterizing current and future threats from arboviral agents a challenge. Here, we review the contributions of studies of inter and intra-host arbovirus genetics to our understanding of the unique selective pressures shaping arbovirus evolution and the consequences of genetic change. In particular, we discuss how past studies have informed our knowledge of virus and host-specific differences in shaping arboviral swarms and how this equates to the potential for phenotypic and/or epidemiological shifts; and how current and future studies utilizing next generation technologies and methods are beginning to provide the tools to gain a deeper understanding of arbovirus evolution in relevant systems read more ...
