title: Persistence of multiple genetic lineages within intrahost populations of Ross River virus.
abstract: We examined the structure and extent of genetic diversity in intrahost populations of Ross River virus (RRV) in samples from six human patients, focusing on the nonstructural (nsP3) and structural (E2) protein genes. Strikingly, although the samples were collected from contrasting ecological settings 3,000 kilometers apart in Australia, we observed multiple viral lineages in four of the six individuals, which is indicative of widespread mixed infections. In addition, a comparison with previously published RRV sequences revealed that these distinct lineages have been in circulation for at least 5 years, and we were able to document their long-term persistence over extensive geographical distances.
authors.affiliation: Australian Army Malaria Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Wen J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Michelle F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rourke
authors.forename: Edward C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Aaskov
mesh_terms: D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D001315:Australia; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D012398:Ross River virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins