Evolutionary phylogeography reveals novel genotypes of coxsackievirus A24 variant and updates the spatiotemporal dynamics in the population with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVES

The coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) has raised a remarkable concern because of its main etiological role in acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study to summarize CVA24v isolated from acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreaks and acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in Shandong province, China during 1988-2020. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods based on the VP1 coding region were used to determine the CVA24v origin, spatiotemporal dynamics, and evolution. Also, the positive selection sites in the VP1 gene were identified and exhibited in the tertiary structure.

RESULTS

The global CVA24vs were classified into eight genotypes (GⅠ-GⅧ). Here, 12 CVA24v isolates were detected, of which five strains were typed as two novel genotypes (GⅦ and GⅧ) and reported first in the world. The time to the most recent common ancestor of the global CVA24v was estimated around March 1965 and evolved with 5.573 × 10-3 substitutions/site/year. Four residues under positive selection were detected, and residue 146T might be adapted in the CVA24v pandemic. Phylogeographic analysis indicated that China was the main source sink for CVA24v dispersion in a long-lasting global pattern.

CONCLUSION

Our study updated the epidemiological characteristics of CVA24v and enabled a better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying different genotypes. The results provided new insights into the CVA24v origin, spatiotemporal dynamics, and possibly, the determinants of viral tropism and pathogenicity.