FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Trop Med Hyg / Genetic and antigenic diversity among eastern equine encepha...
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene1999; 61(4); 579-586; doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.61.579

Genetic and antigenic diversity among eastern equine encephalitis viruses from North, Central, and South America.

Abstract: Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), the sole species in the EEE antigenic complex, is divided into North and South American antigenic varieties based on hemagglutination inhibition tests. Here we describe serologic and phylogenetic analyses of representatives of these varieties, spanning the entire temporal and geographic range available. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed additional genetic diversity within the South American variety; 3 major South/Central American lineages were identified including one represented by a single isolate from eastern Brazil, and 2 lineages with more widespread distributions in Central and South America. All North American isolates comprised a single, highly conserved lineage with strains grouped by the time of isolation and to some extent by location. An EEEV strain isolated during a 1996 equine outbreak in Tamaulipas State, Mexico was closely related to recent Texas isolates, suggesting southward EEEV transportation beyond the presumed enzootic range. Plaque reduction neutralization tests with representatives from the 4 major lineages indicated that each represents a distinct antigenic subtype. A taxonomic revision of the EEE complex is proposed.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1999-11-05 PubMed ID: 10548292DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1999.61.579Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

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.

This research study examines the genetic and antigenic diversity of the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) across the Americas. The scientists discovered there is greater diversity within the South American EEEV variety, identified three main South/Central American lineages and noted the North American EEEV forms a highly conserved, single lineage.

Research Background and Approach

  • The Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is the sole species in the EEE antigenic complex. Antigenic varieties of the virus have previously been divided into North and South American categories based on hemaglutination inhibition tests. Hemaglutination inhibition tests are used to determine the concentration of virus in a sample.
  • The research team performed serologic and phylogenetic analyses on a variety of these virus samples, which covered the entire geographic and temporal range available. A serologic analysis measures the amount of specific types of antibodies in the blood, while a phylogenetic analysis looks at the evolutionary relationships between different species.

Key Findings

  • The phylogenetic analyses and nucleotide sequencing revealed a higher level of genetic diversity within the South American EEEV variety. Three distinct South/Central American lineages were identified.
  • One of these lineages was represented by a solitary isolate from eastern Brazil, while the other two lineages had broader distributions across Central and South America.
  • In contrast, all the North American EEEV isolates belonged to a single, highly conserved lineage. These strains were generally grouped by the time of their isolation and, to a lesser extent, their location.
  • A strain of EEEV isolated from an equine outbreak in Tamaulipas State, Mexico in 1996 was found to be closely related to recent isolates from Texas, suggesting that the virus could travel southwards beyond its presumed endemic area.
  • When plaque reduction neutralization tests were performed, it was found that each of the four principal lineages represented a distinct antigenic subtype. Plaque reduction neutralization tests are a method used to quantify a virus’s ability to infect cells, thus determining the virus’s potency.

Implications and Suggestions

  • The study suggested a taxonomic revision of the EEE complex might be necessary given the discovery of additional genetic diversity and distinct antigenic subtypes within the EEEV species. Taxonomy refers to the scientific classification of organisms into different categories based on their characteristics.

In essence, the study adds important new information about the genetic diversity and geographical distribution of EEEV, which could potentially inform measures to control the spread of the virus and manage the disease it causes.

Cite This Article

APA
Brault AC, Powers AM, Chavez CL, Lopez RN, Cachón MF, Gutierrez LF, Kang W, Tesh RB, Shope RE, Weaver SC. (1999). Genetic and antigenic diversity among eastern equine encephalitis viruses from North, Central, and South America. Am J Trop Med Hyg, 61(4), 579-586. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1999.61.579

Publication

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
ISSN: 0002-9637
NlmUniqueID: 0370507
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 61
Issue: 4
Pages: 579-586

Researcher Affiliations

Brault, A C
  • Department of Pathology and Center for Tropical Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0609, USA.
Powers, A M
    Chavez, C L
      Lopez, R N
        Cachón, M F
          Gutierrez, L F
            Kang, W
              Tesh, R B
                Shope, R E
                  Weaver, S C

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Amino Acid Sequence
                    • Animals
                    • Antigenic Variation / genetics
                    • Base Sequence
                    • Birds
                    • Central America / epidemiology
                    • DNA Primers / chemistry
                    • DNA, Viral / chemistry
                    • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                    • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / genetics
                    • Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / immunology
                    • Encephalomyelitis, Equine / epidemiology
                    • Genetic Variation
                    • Horses
                    • Humans
                    • Neutralization Tests / veterinary
                    • North America / epidemiology
                    • Phylogeny
                    • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
                    • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                    • Sequence Alignment
                    • Sequence Analysis, RNA
                    • Sigmodontinae / virology
                    • South America / epidemiology

                    Grant Funding

                    • AI-10984 / NIAID NIH HHS
                    • AI-39800 / NIAID NIH HHS
                    • T32-AI-107526 / NIAID NIH HHS

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 45 times.
                    1. Gil LHVG, Magalhaes T, Santos BSAS, Oliveira LV, Oliveira-Filho EF, Cunha JLR, Fraiha ALS, Rocha BMM, Longo BC, Ecco R, Faria GC, Furtini R, Drumond SRM, Maranhão RPA, Lobato ZIP, Guedes MIMC, Teixeira RBC, Costa EA. Active Circulation of Madariaga Virus, a Member of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Complex, in Northeast Brazil.. Pathogens 2021 Aug 3;10(8).
                      doi: 10.3390/pathogens10080983pubmed: 34451447google scholar: lookup
                    2. Hughes HR, Velez JO, Davis EH, Laven J, Gould CV, Panella AJ, Lambert AJ, Staples JE, Brault AC. Fatal Human Infection with Evidence of Intrahost Variation of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, Alabama, USA, 2019.. Emerg Infect Dis 2021 Jul;27(7):1886-1892.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid2707.210315pubmed: 34152960google scholar: lookup
                    3. Meshram CD, Shiliaev N, Frolova EI, Frolov I. Hypervariable Domain of nsP3 of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Is a Critical Determinant of Viral Virulence.. J Virol 2020 Aug 17;94(17).
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.00617-20pubmed: 32581106google scholar: lookup
                    4. Duggal NK, Langwig KE, Ebel GD, Brault AC. On the Fly: Interactions Between Birds, Mosquitoes, and Environment That Have Molded West Nile Virus Genomic Structure Over Two Decades.. J Med Entomol 2019 Oct 28;56(6):1467-1474.
                      doi: 10.1093/jme/tjz112pubmed: 31549720google scholar: lookup
                    5. Barba M, Fairbanks EL, Daly JM. Equine viral encephalitis: prevalence, impact, and management strategies.. Vet Med (Auckl) 2019;10:99-110.
                      doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S168227pubmed: 31497528google scholar: lookup
                    6. Stechina OS, Oria GI, Torres C, Diaz LA, Contigiani M, Stein M. First Detection of Madariaga virus in Mosquitoes Collected in a Wild Environment of Northeastern Argentina.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Oct;101(4):916-918.
                      doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0475pubmed: 31482786google scholar: lookup
                    7. Tan Y, Lam TT, Heberlein-Larson LA, Smole SC, Auguste AJ, Hennigan S, Halpin RA, Fedorova N, Puri V, Stockwell TB, Shilts MH, Andreadis T, Armstrong PM, Tesh RB, Weaver SC, Unnasch TR, Ciota AT, Kramer LD, Das SR. Large-Scale Complete-Genome Sequencing and Phylodynamic Analysis of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Reveals Source-Sink Transmission Dynamics in the United States.. J Virol 2018 Jun 15;92(12).
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.00074-18pubmed: 29618651google scholar: lookup
                    8. Forrester NL, Wertheim JO, Dugan VG, Auguste AJ, Lin D, Adams AP, Chen R, Gorchakov R, Leal G, Estrada-Franco JG, Pandya J, Halpin RA, Hari K, Jain R, Stockwell TB, Das SR, Wentworth DE, Smith MD, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Weaver SC. Evolution and spread of Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex alphavirus in the Americas.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Aug;11(8):e0005693.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005693pubmed: 28771475google scholar: lookup
                    9. Pedersen K, Marks DR, Wang E, Eastwood G, Weaver SC, Goldstein SM, Sinnett DR, DeLiberto TJ. Widespread Detection of Antibodies to Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile, St. Louis Encephalitis, and Turlock Viruses in Various Species of Wild Birds from Across the United States.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016 Jul 6;95(1):206-11.
                      doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0840pubmed: 27162269google scholar: lookup
                    10. Silva MLCR, Auguste AJ, Terzian ACB, Vedovello D, Riet-Correa F, Macário VMK, Mourão MPG, Ullmann LS, Araújo JP Jr, Weaver SC, Nogueira ML. Isolation and Characterization of Madariaga Virus from a Horse in Paraíba State, Brazil.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017 Jun;64(3):990-993.
                      doi: 10.1111/tbed.12441pubmed: 26608567google scholar: lookup
                    11. Goodman CH, Russell BJ, Velez JO, Laven JJ, Bagarozzi DA Jr, Moon JL, Bedi K, Johnson BW. Production of a Sindbis/Eastern Equine Encephalitis chimeric virus inactivated cell culture antigen.. J Virol Methods 2015 Oct;223:19-24.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2015.07.007pubmed: 26205552google scholar: lookup
                    12. Saxton-Shaw KD, Ledermann JP, Kenney JL, Berl E, Graham AC, Russo JM, Powers AM, Mutebi JP. The first outbreak of eastern equine encephalitis in Vermont: outbreak description and phylogenetic relationships of the virus isolate.. PLoS One 2015;10(6):e0128712.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128712pubmed: 26043136google scholar: lookup
                    13. Allison AB, Stallknecht DE, Holmes EC. Evolutionary genetics and vector adaptation of recombinant viruses of the western equine encephalitis antigenic complex provides new insights into alphavirus diversity and host switching.. Virology 2015 Jan 1;474:154-62.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.10.024pubmed: 25463613google scholar: lookup
                    14. Wolfe DN, Heppner DG, Gardner SN, Jaing C, Dupuy LC, Schmaljohn CS, Carlton K. Current strategic thinking for the development of a trivalent alphavirus vaccine for human use.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014 Sep;91(3):442-50.
                      doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0055pubmed: 24842880google scholar: lookup
                    15. Go YY, Balasuriya UB, Lee CK. Zoonotic encephalitides caused by arboviruses: transmission and epidemiology of alphaviruses and flaviviruses.. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2014 Jan;3(1):58-77.
                      doi: 10.7774/cevr.2014.3.1.58pubmed: 24427764google scholar: lookup
                    16. Sun E, Zhao J, Sun L, Xu Q, Yang T, Qin Y, Wang W, Wei P, Sun J, Wu D. Comprehensive mapping of common immunodominant epitopes in the eastern equine encephalitis virus E2 protein recognized by avian antibody responses.. PLoS One 2013;8(7):e69349.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069349pubmed: 23922704google scholar: lookup
                    17. Gardner CL, Choi-Nurvitadhi J, Sun C, Bayer A, Hritz J, Ryman KD, Klimstra WB. Natural variation in the heparan sulfate binding domain of the eastern equine encephalitis virus E2 glycoprotein alters interactions with cell surfaces and virulence in mice.. J Virol 2013 Aug;87(15):8582-90.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.00937-13pubmed: 23720725google scholar: lookup
                    18. Vander Kelen PT, Downs JA, Stark LM, Loraamm RW, Anderson JH, Unnasch TR. Spatial epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis in Florida.. Int J Health Geogr 2012 Nov 5;11:47.
                      doi: 10.1186/1476-072X-11-47pubmed: 23126615google scholar: lookup
                    19. Weaver SC, Winegar R, Manger ID, Forrester NL. Alphaviruses: population genetics and determinants of emergence.. Antiviral Res 2012 Jun;94(3):242-57.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.04.002pubmed: 22522323google scholar: lookup
                    20. Pandya J, Gorchakov R, Wang E, Leal G, Weaver SC. A vaccine candidate for eastern equine encephalitis virus based on IRES-mediated attenuation.. Vaccine 2012 Feb 8;30(7):1276-82.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.12.121pubmed: 22222869google scholar: lookup
                    21. Gardner CL, Ebel GD, Ryman KD, Klimstra WB. Heparan sulfate binding by natural eastern equine encephalitis viruses promotes neurovirulence.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011 Sep 20;108(38):16026-31.
                      doi: 10.1073/pnas.1110617108pubmed: 21896745google scholar: lookup
                    22. Johnson BW, Kosoy O, Wang E, Delorey M, Russell B, Bowen RA, Weaver SC. Use of sindbis/eastern equine encephalitis chimeric viruses in plaque reduction neutralization tests for arboviral disease diagnostics.. Clin Vaccine Immunol 2011 Sep;18(9):1486-91.
                      doi: 10.1128/CVI.05129-11pubmed: 21752946google scholar: lookup
                    23. Kang X, Li Y, Liu H, Lin F, Cai X, Sun T, Chang G, Zhu Q, Yang Y. A duplex real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for detecting western equine and eastern equine encephalitis viruses.. Virol J 2010 Oct 26;7:284.
                      doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-7-284pubmed: 20977706google scholar: lookup
                    24. Reisen WK, Wheeler SS, Garcia S, Fang Y. Migratory birds and the dispersal of arboviruses in California.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010 Oct;83(4):808-15.
                      doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.10-0200pubmed: 20889869google scholar: lookup
                    25. Brackney DE, Brown IK, Nofchissey RA, Fitzpatrick KA, Ebel GD. Homogeneity of Powassan virus populations in naturally infected Ixodes scapularis.. Virology 2010 Jul 5;402(2):366-71.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2010.03.035pubmed: 20434750google scholar: lookup
                    26. Arrigo NC, Adams AP, Weaver SC. Evolutionary patterns of eastern equine encephalitis virus in North versus South America suggest ecological differences and taxonomic revision.. J Virol 2010 Jan;84(2):1014-25.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.01586-09pubmed: 19889755google scholar: lookup
                    27. Roy CJ, Reed DS, Wilhelmsen CL, Hartings J, Norris S, Steele KE. Pathogenesis of aerosolized Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus infection in guinea pigs.. Virol J 2009 Oct 23;6:170.
                      doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-6-170pubmed: 19852817google scholar: lookup
                    28. Aguilar PV, Adams AP, Suárez V, Beingolea L, Vargas J, Manock S, Freire J, Espinoza WR, Felices V, Diaz A, Liang X, Roca Y, Weaver SC, Kochel TJ. Genetic characterization of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru: identification of a new subtype ID lineage.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2009 Sep 15;3(9):e514.
                      doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000514pubmed: 19753102google scholar: lookup
                    29. Hull R, Nattanmai S, Kramer LD, Bernard KA, Tavakoli NP. A duplex real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of St. Louis encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis viruses.. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2008 Nov;62(3):272-9.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2008.07.004pubmed: 18715737google scholar: lookup
                    30. Adams AP, Aronson JF, Tardif SD, Patterson JL, Brasky KM, Geiger R, de la Garza M, Carrion R Jr, Weaver SC. Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) as a nonhuman primate model to assess the virulence of eastern equine encephalitis virus strains.. J Virol 2008 Sep;82(18):9035-42.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.00674-08pubmed: 18614636google scholar: lookup
                    31. Aguilar PV, Adams AP, Wang E, Kang W, Carrara AS, Anishchenko M, Frolov I, Weaver SC. Structural and nonstructural protein genome regions of eastern equine encephalitis virus are determinants of interferon sensitivity and murine virulence.. J Virol 2008 May;82(10):4920-30.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.02514-07pubmed: 18353963google scholar: lookup
                    32. Young DS, Kramer LD, Maffei JG, Dusek RJ, Backenson PB, Mores CN, Bernard KA, Ebel GD. Molecular epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis virus, New York.. Emerg Infect Dis 2008 Mar;14(3):454-60.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1403.070816pubmed: 18325261google scholar: lookup
                    33. Wang E, Petrakova O, Adams AP, Aguilar PV, Kang W, Paessler S, Volk SM, Frolov I, Weaver SC. Chimeric Sindbis/eastern equine encephalitis vaccine candidates are highly attenuated and immunogenic in mice.. Vaccine 2007 Oct 23;25(43):7573-81.
                      doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.07.061pubmed: 17904699google scholar: lookup
                    34. Sampath R, Hall TA, Massire C, Li F, Blyn LB, Eshoo MW, Hofstadler SA, Ecker DJ. Rapid identification of emerging infectious agents using PCR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007 Apr;1102(1):109-20.
                      doi: 10.1196/annals.1408.008pubmed: 17470915google scholar: lookup
                    35. Weaver SC. Evolutionary influences in arboviral disease.. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2006;299:285-314.
                      doi: 10.1007/3-540-26397-7_10pubmed: 16568903google scholar: lookup
                    36. Navarro JC, Medina G, Vasquez C, Coffey LL, Wang E, Suárez A, Biord H, Salas M, Weaver SC. Postepizootic persistence of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Venezuela.. Emerg Infect Dis 2005 Dec;11(12):1907-15.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1112.050533pubmed: 16485478google scholar: lookup
                    37. Kuno G, Chang GJ. Biological transmission of arboviruses: reexamination of and new insights into components, mechanisms, and unique traits as well as their evolutionary trends.. Clin Microbiol Rev 2005 Oct;18(4):608-37.
                      doi: 10.1128/CMR.18.4.608-637.2005pubmed: 16223950google scholar: lookup
                    38. Aguilar PV, Paessler S, Carrara AS, Baron S, Poast J, Wang E, Moncayo AC, Anishchenko M, Watts D, Tesh RB, Weaver SC. Variation in interferon sensitivity and induction among strains of eastern equine encephalitis virus.. J Virol 2005 Sep;79(17):11300-10.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.79.17.11300-11310.2005pubmed: 16103182google scholar: lookup
                    39. Aguilar PV, Greene IP, Coffey LL, Medina G, Moncayo AC, Anishchenko M, Ludwig GV, Turell MJ, O'Guinn ML, Lee J, Tesh RB, Watts DM, Russell KL, Hice C, Yanoviak S, Morrison AC, Klein TA, Dohm DJ, Guzman H, Travassos da Rosa AP, Guevara C, Kochel T, Olson J, Cabezas C, Weaver SC. Endemic Venezuelan equine encephalitis in northern Peru.. Emerg Infect Dis 2004 May;10(5):880-8.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid1005.030634pubmed: 15200823google scholar: lookup
                    40. Lambert AJ, Martin DA, Lanciotti RS. Detection of North American eastern and western equine encephalitis viruses by nucleic acid amplification assays.. J Clin Microbiol 2003 Jan;41(1):379-85.
                      doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.1.379-385.2003pubmed: 12517876google scholar: lookup
                    41. Lee JH, Hassan H, Hill G, Cupp EW, Higazi TB, Mitchell CJ, Godsey MS Jr, Unnasch TR. Identification of mosquito avian-derived blood meals by polymerase chain reaction-heteroduplex analysis.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2002 May;66(5):599-604.
                      doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2002.66.599pubmed: 12201598google scholar: lookup
                    42. Franklin RP, Kinde H, Jay MT, Kramer LD, Green EG, Chiles RE, Ostlund E, Husted S, Smith J, Parker MD. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus infection in a horse from California.. Emerg Infect Dis 2002 Mar;8(3):283-8.
                      doi: 10.3201/eid0803.010199pubmed: 11927026google scholar: lookup
                    43. Brault AC, Powers AM, Holmes EC, Woelk CH, Weaver SC. Positively charged amino acid substitutions in the e2 envelope glycoprotein are associated with the emergence of venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.. J Virol 2002 Feb;76(4):1718-30.
                      doi: 10.1128/jvi.76.4.1718-1730.2002pubmed: 11799167google scholar: lookup
                    44. Powers AM, Brault AC, Shirako Y, Strauss EG, Kang W, Strauss JH, Weaver SC. Evolutionary relationships and systematics of the alphaviruses.. J Virol 2001 Nov;75(21):10118-31.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.75.21.10118-10131.2001pubmed: 11581380google scholar: lookup
                    45. Brault AC, Powers AM, Medina G, Wang E, Kang W, Salas RA, De Siger J, Weaver SC. Potential sources of the 1995 Venezuelan equine encephalitis subtype IC epidemic.. J Virol 2001 Jul;75(13):5823-32.
                      doi: 10.1128/JVI.75.13.5823-5832.2001pubmed: 11390583google scholar: lookup
                    Subscribe to our newsletter
                    Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.