The Evolutionary Biology of Dengue Virus
- Gregory Bock Organizer,
- Jamie Goode
Published Online: 7 OCT 2008
DOI: 10.1002/0470058005.ch13
Copyright © Novartis Foundation 2006
Book Title
New Treatment Strategies for Dengue and Other Flaviviral Diseases: Novartis Foundation Symposium 277
Additional Information
How to Cite
Holmes, E. C. (2008) The Evolutionary Biology of Dengue Virus, in New Treatment Strategies for Dengue and Other Flaviviral Diseases: Novartis Foundation Symposium 277 (eds G. Bock and J. Goode), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. doi: 10.1002/0470058005.ch13
Publication History
- Published Online: 7 OCT 2008
- Published Print: 25 AUG 2006
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780470016435
Online ISBN: 9780470058008
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- dengue virus;
- genetic diversity;
- origin;
- phylogeny;
- sylvatic cycle;
- adaptation;
- mutation;
- recombination;
- emergence;
- virulence
Summary
Studies of the evolution of dengue virus (DENV) have blossomed during the last 20 years, in part due to the increasing availability of viral gene sequence data. Herein I review key aspects of the evolutionary biology of DENV focusing on extent and structure of genetic diversity in DENV, the time and place of DENV origin, the major mechanisms of DENV evolution, and the evolution of DENV virulence. A central conclusion is that despite the high mutation rates common to RNA viruses in general, there are important constraints against adaptive evolution in DENV in particular. These have implications for the escape from immunological recognition and hence for vaccine design. Finally, I note that a fuller understanding of DENV evolution will require more extensive study of the sylvatic cycle, particularly in Africa, which has been largely ignored to date.