Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of Monkeypox virus through less explored pathways
Recent Monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreaks in non-endemic regions have highlighted the need for genomic surveillance to support epidemiological investigations and monitor viral evolution. In this paper we present the results of genomic characterization and analyses of mechanisms of human adaptation, including APOBEC-style mutations, performed on 11 MPXV isolates, collected from May to September 2022, from Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed all strains belonged to Clade IIb. Viruses from male patients were classified within lineage B (sub-lineages B.1, B.1.3, B.1.12), while a strain from a female patient was assigned to lineage A (A.2.3), with epidemiological links to Ghana. This represents the fourth detection of an A.2.3 strain of African origin outside the continent. Disruptions were identified in two genes: OPG176 (similar to VACV-Cop A46R), as reported in lineage A, and OPG023 (similar to VACV-Cop D7L), resulting in protein truncation that may suggest a possible pattern of human adaptation. These findings further enhance our understanding of MPXV Clade IIb diversity through characterization of a rarer variant giving insights from a less explored epidemiological pathway.
Authors
- Martina Brandolini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1558-032X)
- Giorgio Dirani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7554-9653)
- Claudia Colosimo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4135-9402)
- Tiziana Lazzarotto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3093-363X)
- Gastone Castellani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4892-925X)
- Ettore Rocchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7612-2819)
- Giulia Gatti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1907-8791)
- María Elena Turba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4369-8536)
- Laura Dionisi
- Alessandra Scagliarini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1146-0101)
- Silvia Zannoli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6296-505X)
- Vittorio Sambri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5012-7355)
- Massimiliano Guerra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3654-7946)
- Fabio Gentilini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0970-4827)
- Rita Casadio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7462-7039)
- Alessandra Mistral De Pascali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8662-0782)
- Laura Grumiro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2297-3009)
- Giada Rossini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8917-6680)
- Monica Cricca (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2815-3119)
- Anna Marzucco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3236-6525)
- Martina Tarozzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4240-0542)
- Maria Sofia Montanari
- Ludovica Ingletto
Institutions
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Della Romagna (IT)
- Azienda USL di Bologna (IT)
- Azienda-Unita' Sanitaria Locale Di Cesena (IT)
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IT)
- CS Diagnostics (DE)
- University of Bologna (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2025-07-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11855-5
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.07