Genetic Study of West Nile Virus Strains in New York
Author Information
Author(s): Gregory D. Ebel, Alan P. Dupuis II, Kiet Ngo, David Nicholas, Elizabeth Kauffman, Susan A. Jones, Donna Young, Joseph Maffei, Pei-Yong Shi, Kristen Bernard, Laura D. Kramer
Primary Institution: New York State Department of Health
Hypothesis
Do West Nile virus genotypes circulating in New York during the 2000 transmission season differ from those isolated in 1999?
Conclusion
The West Nile virus strains circulating in New York during 2000 were genetically homogeneous compared to those from 1999.
Supporting Evidence
- The study analyzed 11 strains of West Nile virus collected in New York.
- Only 10 out of 1,503 positions in the envelope gene were polymorphic.
- The genetic distances between the isolates were minimal, indicating homogeneity.
- The strains were isolated from diverse locations and host types.
- Phylogenetic analysis showed low bootstrap confidence values.
- RNA viruses like West Nile can evolve rapidly, but this study found little variation.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at the genes of West Nile virus from mosquitoes and birds in New York to see if they changed over time, and they found that they were mostly the same.
Methodology
Nucleotide sequences from the envelope gene of 11 West Nile virus strains were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic methods.
Limitations
Only the envelope sequences were studied, and the analysis was limited to certain genetic methods.
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