Emergence and radiation of distemper viruses in terrestrial and marine mammals

Abstract

Canine distemper virus (CDV) and phocine distemper virus (PDV) are major pathogens to terrestrial and marine mammals. Yet little is known about the timing and geographical origin of distemper viruses and to what extent it was influenced by environmental change and human activities. To address this, we (i) performed the first comprehensive time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis of the two distemper viruses, (ii) mapped distemper antibody and virus detection data from marine mammals collected between 1972 and 2018, and (iii) compiled historical reports on distemper dating back to the eighteenth century. We find that CDV and PDV diverged in the early seventeenth century. Modern CDV strains last shared a common ancestor in the nineteenth century with a marked radiation during the 1930s–1950s. Modern PDV strains are of more recent origin, diverging in the 1970s–1980s. Based on the compiled information on distemper distribution, the diverse host range of CDV and basal phylogenetic placement of terrestrial morbilliviruses, we hypothesize a terrestrial CDV-like ancestor giving rise to PDV in the North Atlantic. Moreover, given the estimated timing of distemper origin and radiation, we hypothesize a prominent role of environmental change such as the Little Ice Age, and human activities like globalization and war in distemper virus evolution.

Morbillivirus: A highly adaptable viral genus

“…[ 48 ]]. However, a recent comprehensive time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis of CDV and PDV found that the two viruses diverged in the early seventeenth century with a most recent common ancestor dating to 1614 [ 68 ], putting into question the proposed evolution of CDV from MeV in the early 1700's as described above. There is now conclusive evidence of PDV also existing in the North Pacific and Western Arctic regions as well, and serologic evidence is accumulating for the existence of PDV in southern oceans [reviewed in Refs.…”

“…There is now conclusive evidence of PDV also existing in the North Pacific and Western Arctic regions as well, and serologic evidence is accumulating for the existence of PDV in southern oceans [reviewed in Refs. [ 48 , 67 ]], and the spread of PDV from the North Atlantic to these other oceans appears to have occurred in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries [ 68 ]. Signs of disease include fever, eye and nose discharge, diarrhea, cough, weight loss, abortion, and neurological signs such as lethargy, head tremors, convulsions, and seizures [reviewed in Refs.…”

Cinomose canina: uma análise epidemiológica, clínica, laboratorial e terapêutica em área endêmica do Oeste da Bahia

“…A cinomose é uma doença altamente contagiosa, que, apesar de ocorrer principalmente em cães, pode acometer outras espécies, como felinos e canídeos silvestres, sejam terrestres ou marinhos (Stokholm et al, 2021). A doença pode acontecer em animais de todas as idades, sendo mais frequentes em filhotes entre 2 e 3 meses de idade e adultos não vacinados (Azevedo, 2013).…”

Use of nanoparticle biosensors to evaluate carnivore health: A new approach

“…Having fully healthy ecosystems is unfeasible. Zoonotic diseases are becoming increasingly common and more widespread in time and space due to the destruction and fragmentation of natural ecosystems caused by anthropogenic activities and climate change (Daszak et al 2001;Stokholm et al 2021). Understanding and identifying diseases that induce high wildlife mortality and morbidity is key for ecosystem management and conservation (Loots et al 2017).…”