Complete genome sequences and phylogenetic analysis of West Nile virus strains isolated from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East

The complete nucleotide sequences of eight West Nile (WN) virus strains (Egypt 1951, Romania 1996-MQ, Italy 1998-equine, New York 1999-equine, MD 2000-crow265, NJ 2000MQ5488, NY 2000-grouse3282, and NY 2000-crow3356) were determined. Phylogenetic trees were constructed from the aligned nucleotide sequences of these eight viruses along with all other previously published complete WIN virus genome sequences. The phylogenetic trees revealed the presence of two genetic lineages of WIN viruses, Lineage 1 WIN viruses have been isolated from the northeastern United States, Europe, Israel, Africa, India, Russia, and Australia. Lineage 2 WIN viruses have been isolated only in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. Lineage 1 viruses can be further subdivided into three monophyletic clades. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).