Comparison of the Genotypes of the West Nile Virus Identified in Iran and Neighboring Countries

West Nile virus (WNV) is a Flavivirus transmitted by arthropods, and it is a public health concern globally. WNV was originally isolated in Uganda, and within a short period, it spread widely and caused outbreaks worldwide. We conducted this study to analyze strains from Iran, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Iraq, and Turkey to understand WNV spread, genetic diversity, and evolution, and to improve monitoring and control programs by evaluating the sources of introduction and modes of transmission. A total of ۹۳ gene sequences from Iran and neighboring countries were downloaded from the NCBI Virus database. After filtering, ۸۹ sequences were used for analysis and the construction of phylogenetic trees for several genes, alongside the genome sequences of reference lineages ۱ and ۲ for comparison. Sequence alignment was performed in MEGA version ۱۰ via ClustalW. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. Phylogenetic grouping stability was determined via bootstrap analysis (۱,۰۰۰ replications). Our analyses of the capsid, envelope protein, and NS۵ genes demonstrated the importance of Iran in the circulation of WNV in the region. Although some sequences from Iran cluster with Turkish sequences, others show evidence of independent evolution. The clustering of Azerbaijani sequences with Turkish sequences and the divergence of Iraqi and Pakistani strains revealed varying degrees of connectivity and isolation. Furthermore, the hosts identified in the region include different species of mosquitoes, birds, and mammals, which are described in detail. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed the geographical distribution of WNV transmission. The genetic diversity and connectivity of the strains provide crucial information for epidemic prediction, viral transmission, and areas that require enhanced surveillance. In the future, these evolutionary patterns will also assist in monitoring WNV transmission in Iran and its neighboring countries.

کلیدواژه ها:

arboviruses ، Phylogenetic analysis ، phylogeny ، Viruses ، West Nile virus (WNV) ، Whole-genome sequencing ، Zoonose