Author: Benjamin Scott, Holly Richardson, Oliver Clarke
Research Article
Distinct Mutations Emerge in the Genome of Serotype O Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus during Persistence in Cattle
Oliver Clarke1*, Holly Richardson2, Benjamin Scott3
1Centre for Emerging Viruses, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
2Department of Zoonotic Virology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
3Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
Available online: 11 Jun 2013
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O is a highly contagious pathogen affecting clovenhoofed animals, causing significant economic losses globally. While acute infection is well-characterized, the mechanisms and genetic changes associated with persistent FMDV infection in cattle remain less understood. This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of FMDV serotype O genomes during long-term persistence in experimentally infected cattle. Deep sequencing of viral RNA extracted from oropharyngeal fluid and probang samples collected over a period of several weeks revealed the emergence of distinct mutation profiles within individual animals. These mutations were non-randomly distributed across the viral genome, with specific hotspots identified in the coding regions of structural and non-structural proteins, including the VP1, 3D polymerase, and 2C helicase. Analysis of amino acid substitutions suggested potential alterations in viral antigenicity, replication efficiency, and interaction with host cellular factors. Furthermore, the study identified evidence of compartmentalization of viral variants within different sampling sites of the same animal. These findings provide novel insights into the adaptive evolution of FMDV during persistence in its natural host, highlighting the potential for the emergence of genetically diverse viral populations with altered biological properties, which has implications for disease control and eradication strategies.
Keywords
Sepsis, Autophagy, Autophagy-Related Genes, Bioinformatics
