title: How Did Zika Virus Emerge in the Pacific Islands and Latin America?
abstract: The unexpected emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Pacific Islands and Latin America and its association with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZVS) (which includes microcephaly) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have stimulated wide-ranging research. High densities of susceptible Aedes spp., immunologically naive human populations, global population growth with increased urbanization, and escalation of global transportation of humans and commercial goods carrying vectors and ZIKV undoubtedly enhanced the emergence of ZIKV. However, flavivirus mutations accumulate with time, increasing the likelihood that genetic viral differences are determinants of change in viral phenotype. Based on comparative ZIKV complete genome phylogenetic analyses and temporal estimates, we identify amino acid substitutions that may be associated with increased viral epidemicity, CZVS, and GBS. Reverse genetics, vector competence, and seroepidemiological studies will test our hypothesis that these amino acid substitutions are determinants of epidemic and neurotropic ZIKV emergence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Modelling/Molecular Biology, Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM), Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: John H-O
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pettersson
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Modelling/Molecular Biology, Domain for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Vegard
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Eldholm
authors.affiliation: St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seligman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology (IMBIM), Zoonosis Science Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Åke
authors.initials: Å
authors.lastname: Lundkvist
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Medicina, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia.
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Falconar
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Gaunt
authors.affiliation: Pôle de Recherche et de Veille sur les Maladies Infectieuses Émergentes, Institut Louis Malardé, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Musso
authors.affiliation: UMR Emergence des Pathologies Virales (EPV: Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nougairède
authors.affiliation: UMR Emergence des Pathologies Virales (EPV: Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Remi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Charrel
authors.affiliation: UMR Emergence des Pathologies Virales (EPV: Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France eag@ceh.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ernest A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.affiliation: UMR Emergence des Pathologies Virales (EPV: Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: de Lamballerie
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D009154:Mutation; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D014774:Virulence; D000071244:Zika Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000071243:Zika Virus Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*