Mapping the global distribution and spread of the <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> -associated virus MaRNAV-1

Abstract Matryoshka RNA virus 1 (MaRNAV-1) is a bi-segmented and single-stranded RNA virus associated with Plasmodium vivax, a cause of human malaria. Little has been uncovered about the epidemiology and ecology of this virus since its discovery in 2019. To address this, we used a combination of primary and publicly available metatranscriptomic data to map the geographic distribution and host associations of MaRNAV-1. We detected this virus throughout Southeast Asia, in parts of South America, and, for the first time, in Oceania. Despite its broad distribution, MaRNAV-1 was found exclusively in metatranscriptomes containing P. vivax, suggesting that there is a specific virus-host relationship that has shaped the evolutionary history of this virus. We were unable to estimate the emergence date of the MaRNAV-1 lineage; however, phylogeographic mapping analysis suggested that MaRNAV-1 is widely dispersed throughout Southeast Asia. Our findings have both evolutionary and public health implications and can serve as the basis for future investigations in these fields.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Virus Evolution
Published
2026-05-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/ve/veag031
Primary Topic
Malaria Research and Control
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Mapping the global distribution and spread of the Plasmodium vivax -associated virus MaRNAV-1

Kayoko Shioda, Justine Charon, Mary E. Petrone, Timothy William et al.
Virus Evolution
Malaria Research and Control
article

Mapping the global distribution and spread of the Plasmodium vivax -associated virus MaRNAV-1

Kayoko Shioda, Justine Charon, Mary E. Petrone, Timothy William, Bruce Russell, Jacob AF Westaway, Rhys H Parry, Edward C Holmes, Kim A Piera, James S McCarthy, Enny Kenangalem, Ric N Price, Bridget E Barber, Matthew J Grigg, Nicholas M Anstey
article en

Abstract

Abstract Matryoshka RNA virus 1 (MaRNAV-1) is a bi-segmented and single-stranded RNA virus associated with Plasmodium vivax, a cause of human malaria. Little has been uncovered about the epidemiology and ecology of this virus since its discovery in 2019. To address this, we used a combination of primary and publicly available metatranscriptomic data to map the geographic distribution and host associations of MaRNAV-1. We detected this virus throughout Southeast Asia, in parts of South America, and, for the first time, in Oceania. Despite its broad distribution, MaRNAV-1 was found exclusively in metatranscriptomes containing P. vivax, suggesting that there is a specific virus-host relationship that has shaped the evolutionary history of this virus. We were unable to estimate the emergence date of the MaRNAV-1 lineage; however, phylogeographic mapping analysis suggested that MaRNAV-1 is widely dispersed throughout Southeast Asia. Our findings have both evolutionary and public health implications and can serve as the basis for future investigations in these fields.

Virus Evolution
Boston University (US), The University of Sydney (AU), Université de Bordeaux (FR), The University of Queensland (AU), The University of Melbourne (AU), Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (AU), QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (AU), Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (AU), Angkor Hospital for Children (KH), Taronga Conservation Society Australia (AU), Charles Darwin University (AU), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR), Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie (FR), Sabah Environmental Trust (MY), Mikroelektronika (Czechia) (CZ), Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (TH), Subang Jaya Medical Centre (MY), University of Otago (NZ)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Malaria Research and Control
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.