Geographic and cross-species transmission of Mamastroviruses from multiple hosts

BACKGROUND: Astroviruses (AstVs) are single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Astroviridae, which comprises two genera: Mamastrovirus (MaAstV) and Avastrovirus. These viruses circulate globally and infect multiple hosts, enabling cross-species transmission that poses significant risks to both humans and animals. In this study, we comprehensively analyze the evolution, global geographic transmission, and cross-species transmission of MaAstVs. RESULTS: Our analysis reveals that a broad distribution and diverse host range for AstVs, with a noticeable decline in detection after 2017. Phylogenetic analyses uncover complex relationships, suggesting potential host spillover events. The evolutionary rates of different MaAstVs vary. Most MaAstVs exhibited a decreasing trend in effective population size, with minor fluctuations observed in a few instances. Furthermore, our global transmission analysis demonstrates the spread of MaAstVs across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, identifying specific countries as key nodes within the transmission network. Analyses of cross-species transmission in Groups 1, 2, and 3 reveal distinct ancestral origins and trace the cross-species transmission history of MaAstVs among domestic animals, humans, companion animals, and wildlife. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers a detailed examination of the evolution, global transmission, and cross-species transmission of MaAstVs across multiple hosts. Our findings provide valuable insights into their circulation across species and regions, as well as their evolutionary dynamics.