Temporal intra-host variability of mpox virus genomes in multiple body tissues

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been widely used for the genomic characterization and the phylogenesis of mpox virus (MPXV) 2022 multi-country outbreak. To date, no evidence has been reported on intra-host evolution within samples collected over time from a single patient with long-term infection. Fifty-one samples were collected from five patients at different time points post-symptom onset. All samples were confirmed as MPXV DNA positive, amplified by a multiplexed PCR amplicon, and sequenced by WGS. Complete MPXV genomes were assembled by reference mapping and then aligned to perform phylogenetic and hierarchical clustering analysis. Large intra-host variability was observed among the MPXV genomes sequenced from samples of two immunocompromised with advanced HIV-1 infection patients with prolonged MPXV shedding. Overall, 20 nucleotide mutations were identified in the 32 genomes from HIV patients, differently distributed in samples collected from different tissues and at different time points. No sequence compartmentalization nor variation was observed in the three patients with rapid viral clearance. MPXV exhibits adaptation to changing environments within the infected host and consequently demonstrates tissue compartmentalization. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of this adaptation in forming a pool of genetic variability and contributing to viral persistence and its clinical implications.

Automated summary

Whole-genome sequencing was used to study the genomic characterization and phylogenesis of mpox virus (MPXV) during a multi-country outbreak in 2022. Intra-host evolution was observed in samples collected from two immunocompromised HIV patients with prolonged MPXV shedding. The findings suggest that MPXV exhibits adaptation to changing environments within the infected host and demonstrates tissue compartmentalization. Further studies are needed to explore the role of this adaptation in genetic variability and viral persistence with clinical implications.