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Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology2025; 15; 1513392; doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1513392

From transmission to adaptive evolution: genomic surveillance of Getah virus.

Abstract: Getah virus (GETV) is a member of the of the . It is a single-stranded positive-RNA virus that is mainly transmitted by mosquitoes. In recent years, the spread of GETV has become increasingly serious, causing serious losses to the animal economy and posing a potential threat to public health. GETV infected animals extend from traditional domestic animals such as horses and pigs to cattle, foxes and other animals. Especially in China, the virus has been detected in many provinces in recent years. In addition, GETV-specific antibodies were detected in healthy humans. However, the threat posed by GETV in China has not received enough attention. In this study, we downloaded all available GETV genome-wide serials (82 serials in total) from the NCBI as of December 2023. We integrate multiple bioinformatics approaches to understand the characteristics of GETV from the perspectives of epidemiology, virus-host co-evolution, and viral adaptation analysis. The results of this study show that GETV is rapidly expanding its host range and geographical distribution at high evolutionary rates due to the lack of commercially available vaccines. Second, we clearly reveal the cross-species transmission of GETV. Finally, we identified important adaptive and active selection sites. GETV and its media are widely distributed in China, and new host infections continue to appear. Therefore, strengthening surveillance and prevention to avoid serious losses to the pandemic is an important task we face today.
Copyright © 2025 Yuan, Hao, Peng, Zhang, Ma, Xiao and Li.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-04 PubMed ID: 40535537PubMed Central: PMC12174390DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1513392Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigates the genomic characteristics, transmission dynamics, and adaptive evolution of Getah virus (GETV), an emerging mosquito-borne virus impacting multiple animal species and posing potential public health risks, especially in China.
  • The researchers analyzed all available GETV genome sequences using bioinformatics tools to understand its epidemiology, host-virus evolution, and adaptive changes.

Introduction to Getah Virus

  • Getah virus (GETV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus.
  • It belongs to the Togaviridae family, transmitted primarily through mosquito vectors.
  • Traditionally infects domestic animals like horses and pigs but has recently been found in other animals such as cattle and foxes.
  • Infections and presence of GETV-specific antibodies have also been detected in healthy humans, indicating potential public health implications.
  • The virus has been increasingly detected across various provinces in China, but attention to its threat remains limited.

Motivation for the Study

  • GETV is spreading rapidly in terms of host range and geographic distribution.
  • The absence of commercially available vaccines contributes to high evolutionary rates and expansion of the virus.
  • Understanding GETV’s genetic diversity, transmission, and adaptation mechanisms is crucial for developing preventive strategies and controlling outbreaks.

Methodology

  • Collected all publicly available full genome sequences of GETV from the NCBI database (a total of 82 sequences) as of December 2023.
  • Applied multiple bioinformatics approaches to analyze:
    • Epidemiological patterns: tracking viral spread and host species involvement over time and geography.
    • Virus-host co-evolution: identifying genetic changes linked to adaptation to new hosts.
    • Viral adaptive evolution: detecting specific sites in the viral genome under positive or active selection pressures.

Key Findings

  • Rapid expansion of host range and geographical distribution of GETV was observed, linked to high evolutionary rates.
  • Clear evidence of cross-species transmission: GETV is infecting new animal species beyond its traditional hosts.
  • Identification of important adaptive mutations and positively selected sites in the viral genome that facilitate successful infection and spread.
  • Widespread distribution of GETV and its mosquito vectors in China, with ongoing emergence of infections in new host species.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The study underscores the urgent need for enhanced genomic surveillance and monitoring of GETV to detect and respond to emerging strains and transmissions.
  • Prevention and control efforts must focus on limiting virus spread, especially given the lack of effective vaccines.
  • Strengthened surveillance can help reduce economic losses in animal industries and mitigate public health risks.
  • Further research and public health attention are required to better understand GETV’s zoonotic potential and implement appropriate countermeasures.

Conclusion

  • GETV represents an evolving viral threat due to its expanding host range, geographical spread, and adaptive evolution.
  • Comprehensive genome-wide analysis provides new insights into how GETV adapts, transmits, and persists in multiple species.
  • Proactive measures integrating surveillance, prevention, and research are critical to managing future risks associated with this virus.

Cite This Article

APA
Yuan Y, Hao Y, Peng C, Zhang D, Ma W, Xiao P, Li N. (2025). From transmission to adaptive evolution: genomic surveillance of Getah virus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 15, 1513392. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1513392

Publication

Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
ISSN: 2235-2988
NlmUniqueID: 101585359
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Pages: 1513392
PII: 1513392

Researcher Affiliations

Yuan, Yuge
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
Hao, Yujia
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
Peng, Chengcheng
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
Zhang, Duo
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
Ma, Wenzhou
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
Xiao, Pengpeng
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.
Li, Nan
  • Wenzhou Key Laboratory for Virology and Immunology, Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Genome, Viral
  • Alphavirus / genetics
  • Alphavirus / classification
  • China / epidemiology
  • Alphavirus Infections / transmission
  • Alphavirus Infections / virology
  • Alphavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Alphavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Phylogeny
  • Genomics
  • Cattle
  • Computational Biology
  • Host Specificity
  • Horses
  • Swine

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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