Ebola Virus Epidemiology, Transmission, and Evolution during Seven Months in Sierra Leone.

Cell
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

The 2013-2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic is caused by the Makona variant of Ebola virus (EBOV). Early in the epidemic, genome sequencing provided insights into virus evolution and transmission and offered important information for outbreak response. Here, we analyze sequences from 232 patients sampled over 7 months in Sierra Leone, along with 86 previously released genomes from earlier in the epidemic. We confirm sustained human-to-human transmission within Sierra Leone and find no evidence for import or export of EBOV across national borders after its initial introduction. Using high-depth replicate sequencing, we observe both host-to-host transmission and recurrent emergence of intrahost genetic variants. We trace the increasing impact of purifying selection in suppressing the accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations over time. Finally, we note changes in the mucin-like domain of EBOV glycoprotein that merit further investigation. These findings clarify the movement of EBOV within the region and describe viral evolution during prolonged human-to-human transmission.

Year of Publication
2015
Journal
Cell
Volume
161
Issue
7
Pages
1516-26
Date Published
2015 Jun 18
ISSN
1097-4172
URL
DOI
10.1016/j.cell.2015.06.007
PubMed ID
26091036
PubMed Central ID
PMC4503805
Links
Grant list
HHSN272200700016I / AO / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
1U01HG007480-01 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
U01 HG007480 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
U41 HG007234 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
T32 GM080177 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
GM080177 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
HHSN272201400028C / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
095831 / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom
HHSN272201400028C / PHS HHS / United States
HHSN272200700016I / PHS HHS / United States
U19AI110818 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
HHSN272200900049C / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
260864 / European Research Council / International
U54 GM111274 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
U19 AI110818 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
HHSN272200900049C / PHS HHS / United States