Mutational dynamics and phylogenetic insights into monkeypox virus clade I evolution.

The monkeypox virus (MPXV) has evolved from causing sporadic outbreaks to becoming a global public health threat. The re-emergence of clade I in 2023 poses a significant concern. Recently, the first case of the monkeypox clade I variant was reported in India. In this context, the proposed study examines the distinct evolutionary paths of clades I, Ia, and Ib, focusing on their genetic diversity, mutational profiles, and phylogenetic relationships. Clade Ia shows a slightly higher proportion of APOBEC3-type mutations (39.88 %) compared to Clade Ib (39.25 %), which may be influenced by factors such as host immune pressure, the duration of viral circulation, or differences in the epidemiological context. Our time-scaled phylogenetic analysis traces the divergence of these clades to key historical periods, highlighting evolutionary patterns. These findings are crucial for guiding public health strategies, improving molecular diagnostics, and developing targeted therapies and vaccines to manage MPXV outbreaks.