Intercontinental dispersal and local adaptation of a mosquito-borne bird virus

Jan O. Lundström

(1) Dept Population Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden

Zoonotic infections, animal pathogens that can overcome the species barrier and cause disease in human, are a major concern for modern societies. Some of these pathogens have the capability of rapid spread around the world, and migrating birds are among the most obvious potential long distance carriers of zoonotic agents. Birds are the enzootic hosts for Sindbis virus (Togaviridae, Alphavirus), a mosquito-borne virus that cause rash and long lasting arthralgia in humans. Several outbreaks of Sindbis virus infections have occurred in northern Europe and South Africa, and Sindbis related virus strains have a large geographic distribution in the Old World. We have traced the origin and spread of Sindbis virus by limited sequencing of the E2 glycoprotein genes of Sindbis virus related virus strains from Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and the related New World alphaviruses. The Sindbis virus strains showed a 22.2% diversity at the amino acid (aa) level, and formed five distinct genetic clusters that are tentatively designated genotypes. Our results are in line with a South American origin of the Sindbis virus complex, establishment in North America before reaching Asia and Australia, followed by a westward radiation into Africa and Europe. The present geographic distribution of the five Sindbis virus genotypes, and the sub-clusters within genotypes, correlate with major bird migration patterns. Local adaptation to mosquito vector species may further enhance the evolution of genotypes.

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Keynote speaker - Lundström J: Intercontinental dispersal and local adaptation of a mosquito-borne bird virus

Keynote speaker -Stervander M: Research activities and possibilities at Ottenby Bird Observatory

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