The genomic evolutionary dynamics and global circulation patterns of respiratory syncytial virus
: Langedijk Annefleur C., Vrancken Bram, Lebbink Robert Jan, Wilkins Deidre, Kelly Elizabeth J., Baraldi Eugenio, Mascareñas de Los Santos Abiel Homero, Danilenko Daria M., Choi Eun Hwa, Palomino María Angélica, Chi Hsin, Keller Christian, Cohen Robert, Papenburg Jesse, Pernica Jeffrey, Greenough Anne, Richmond Peter, Martinón-Torres Federico, Heikkinen Terho, Stein Renato T., Hosoya Mitsuaki, Nunes Marta C., Verwey Charl, Evers Anouk, Kragten-Tabatabaie Leyla, Suchard Marc A., Kosakovsky Pond Sergei L., Poletto Chiara, Colizza Vittoria, Lemey Philippe, Bont Louis J., Priante Elena, Komissarova Kseniya, Yun Ki Wook, Clement Pascale, Bauck Monica, Gupta Atul, Wadia Ushma, Rivero-Calle Irene, Lumertz Magalia, Hasimoto Koichi, Madhi Shabir A.; on behalf of the INFORM-RSV Study Group
Publisher: Springer Nature
: 2024
: Nature Communications
: Nature communications
: Nat Commun
: 15
: 1
: 2041-1723
: 2041-1723
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47118-6
: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-47118-6
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/387646615
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection in young children and the second leading cause of infant death worldwide. While global circulation has been extensively studied for respiratory viruses such as seasonal influenza, and more recently also in great detail for SARS-CoV-2, a lack of global multi-annual sampling of complete RSV genomes limits our understanding of RSV molecular epidemiology. Here, we capitalise on the genomic surveillance by the INFORM-RSV study and apply phylodynamic approaches to uncover how selection and neutral epidemiological processes shape RSV diversity. Using complete viral genome sequences, we show similar patterns of site-specific diversifying selection among RSVA and RSVB and recover the imprint of non-neutral epidemic processes on their genealogies. Using a phylogeographic approach, we provide evidence for air travel governing the global patterns of RSVA and RSVB spread, which results in a considerable degree of phylogenetic mixing across countries. Our findings highlight the potential of systematic global RSV genomic surveillance for transforming our understanding of global RSV spread.
