Arbovirus Adaptation: Roles in Transmission and Emergence

Purpose of Review Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) comprise a diverse group of clinically and economically relevant animal and plant pathogens. These unique pathogens must cycle through very disparate environments and thus arboviruses must rapidly evolve and adapt to maintain a successful infectious lifecycle. In this review, we highlight natural adaptation events as well as efforts to proactively study arbovirus adaptation in the laboratory. Recent Findings Natural adaptation events, in both viral protein and RNA elements, have led to outbreaks and epidemics of important human pathogens. In addition, numerous studies in the laboratory have added to our understanding of how arboviruses evolve to vectors, hosts, and external pressures. Summary Arboviruses rapidly adapt to their ever-changing environments. Studies retrospective to disease outbreaks as well as proactive studies understanding how arboviruses evolve have shed light on how arboviruses adapt during the course of a complete lifecycle.