A new lineage nomenclature to aid genomic surveillance of dengue virus

Abstract

AUDengue : Pleavirus seconfi (DENV) rmthataisllhecurrently adinglevecausing lsarerepres epidemics entedcorofrect unprecedente ly: d scope in endemic settings and expanding to new geographical areas. It is therefore critical to track this virus using genomic surveillance. However, the complex patterns of viral genomic diversity make it challenging to use the existing genotype classification system. Here, we propose adding 2 sub-genotypic levels of virus classification, named major and minor lineages. These line ages have high thresholds for phylogenetic distance and clade size, rendering them stable between phylogenetic studies. We present an assignment tool to show that the proposed lin eages are useful for regional, national, and subnational discussions of relevant DENV diver sity. Moreover, the proposed lineages are robust to classification using partial genome sequences. We provide a standardized neutral descriptor of DENV diversity with which we can identify and track lineages of potential epidemiological and/or clinical importance. Infor mation about our lineage system, including methods to assign lineages to sequence data and propose new lineages, can be found at: dengue-lineages.org