Morphologic and Genetic Characterization of Ilheus Virus, a Potential Emergent Flavivirus in the Americas

Ilheus virus (ILHV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean. It has been detected in several mosquito genera including Aedes and Culex, and birds are thought to be its primary amplifying and reservoir host. Here, we describe the genomic and morphologic characterization of ten ILHV strains. Our analyses revealed a high conservation of both the 5 '- and 3 '-untranslated regions but considerable divergence within the open reading frame. We also showed that ILHV displays a typical flavivirus structural and genomic organization. Our work lays the foundation for subsequent ILHV studies to better understand its transmission cycles, pathogenicity, and emergence potential.

Automated summary

Ilheus virus (ILHV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus found in Central and South America and the Caribbean. It can be detected in various mosquito genera and is primarily transmitted by birds. The genetic and morphological characterization of ten ILHV strains revealed conservation in the untranslated regions but divergence within the open reading frame, indicating a typical flavivirus structure and organization. This research lays the groundwork for further studies on ILHV's transmission cycles, pathogenicity, and potential emergence.