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. 2021 Dec:113:65-73.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.058. Epub 2021 Sep 27.

Chikungunya viruses containing the A226V mutation detected retrospectively in Cameroon form a new geographical subclade

Bright Agbodzi  1 , Francine Berlange Sado Yousseu  2 , Fredy Brice Nemg Simo  2 , Selassie Kumordjie  3 , Clara Yeboah  3 , Mba-Tihssommah Mosore  3 , Ronald E Bentil  3 , Karla Prieto  4 , Sophie M Colston  5 , Naiki Attram  3 , Shirley Nimo-Paintsil  3 , Anne T Fox  3 , Joseph H K Bonney  6 , William Ampofo  6 , Heather G Coatsworth  7 , Rhoel R Dinglasan  7 , David M Wolfe  3 , Michael R Wiley  4 , Maurice Demanou  2 , Andrew G Letizia  3
Affiliations
Free article

Chikungunya viruses containing the A226V mutation detected retrospectively in Cameroon form a new geographical subclade

Bright Agbodzi et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Dec.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging arbovirus associated with sporadic outbreaks in Cameroon since 2006. Viral whole genomes were generated to analyze the origins of evolutionary lineages, the potential of emergence/re-emergence, and to infer transmission dynamics of recent Cameroon CHIKV outbreak strains.

Methods: Samples collected between 2016 and 2019 during CHIKV outbreaks in Cameroon were screened for CHIKV using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), followed by whole genome sequencing of positive samples.

Results: Three coding-complete CHIKV genomes were obtained from samples, which belong to an emerging sub-lineage of the East/Central/South African genotype and formed a monophyletic taxon with previous Central African strains. This clade, which we have named the new Central African clade, appears to be evolving at 3.0 × 10-4 nucleotide substitutions per site per year (95% highest posterior density (HPD) interval of 1.94 × 10-4 to 4.1 × 10-4). Notably, mutations in the envelope proteins (E1-A226V, E2-L210Q, and E2-I211T), which are known to enhance CHIKV adaptability and infectious potential in Aedes albopictus, were present in all strains and mapped to established high-density Ae. albopictus populations.

Conclusions: These new CHIKV strains constitute a conserved genomic pool of an emerging sub-lineage, reflecting a putative vector host adaptation to Ae. albopictus, which has practically displaced Aedes aegypti from select regions of Cameroon.

Keywords: Aedes albopictus; Cameroon; Chikungunya virus (CHIKV); E1-A226V; New Central African Clade (nCAC).

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