Phylogenomic characterization and signs of microevolution in the 2022 multi-country outbreak of monkeypox virus

). In this study, shotgun metagenomics allowed the rapid reconstruction and phylogenomic characterization of the first MPXV outbreak genome sequences, showing that this MPXV belongs to clade 3 and that the outbreak most likely has a single origin. Although 2022 MPXV (lineage B.1) clustered with 2018-2019 cases linked to an endemic country, it segregates in a divergent phylogenetic branch, likely reflecting continuous accelerated evolution. An in-depth mutational analysis suggests the action of host APOBEC3 in viral evolution as well as signs of potential MPXV human adaptation in ongoing microevolution. Our findings also indicate that genome sequencing may provide resolution to track the spread and transmission…

• UD
  Universidade de Aveiro
• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: 824061, 773830, 2021/PHF/23776
• UO
  University of Edinburgh
• FP
  Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

  Awards: 01-0145, COMPETE, POCI-01-0145, 22153-01/SAICT/2016, PORTUGAL 2020, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184, COMPETE 2020, POCI-01-, 01/SAICT/2016, POCI-01-0145-FEDER
• ER
  European Regional Development Fund

  Awards: COMPETE, 22153-01/SAICT/2016, POCI-01, COMPETE 2020, 2021/PHF/23776, POCI-01-, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184, PORTUGAL 2020, 01/SAICT/2016, POCI-01-0145-FEDER