At ISYEB, Manon Curaudeau identified the squirrel Funisciurus anerythrus as a probable reservoir of the monkeypox virus in Africa.
The Essentials: At ISYEB, Manon Curaudeau identified the squirrel Funisciurus anerythrus as a probable reservoir of the monkeypox virus in Africa.
Manon Curaudeau, researcher at ISYEB (Institut Pasteur [Paris]).
Thesis defended in 2025 at the doctoral school École doctorale Frontières de l'innovation en recherche et éducation (Paris ; 2006-....).
Listed in the ABES/STAR network, this thesis meets the rigor criteria of French higher education.
Context and Research Problem
The monkeypox virus (MPXV), first identified in macaques in 1958, is mainly associated with localized outbreaks in West and Central Africa. Although the virus has been detected in a wide range of African mammals, the exact role of these species as reservoirs or secondary hosts of MPXV remains uncertain. This research focuses on identifying the animal species likely to serve as a reservoir for MPXV, a fundamental aspect for understanding the spatiotemporal evolution of the virus. Identifying these reservoirs is crucial for establishing prevention and control strategies for monkeypox outbreaks, which pose a threat to public health in Africa and beyond.
Methodology
The study conducted by Manon Curaudeau at Institut Pasteur adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating both ecological modelling methods and phylogeographic analyses. The first step consisted of reconstructing the ecological niche of MPXV using occurrence data available for mammalian hosts and human index cases. This modelling made it possible to identify the geographic areas presenting an elevated risk of virus emergence, notably the forests of Upper and Lower Guinea as well as the Congo Basin.
Following this reconstruction, the ecological niches were compared with those of 99 candidate mammals present in these forest habitats. This approach made it possible to target the species most likely to act as MPXV reservoirs. In a second phase, a phylogeographic study was carried out on the squirrel Funisciurus anerythrus, considered a potential candidate. This study involved sequencing the genomes of 31 African squirrels, including 21 representatives of the genus Funisciurus, to analyze the geographic structuring of this species.
Key Findings
The results of this research indicate that the squirrel Funisciurus anerythrus is the most probable reservoir of MPXV. Ecological modelling confirmed that the MPXV niche mainly overlaps with West African forests, particularly in Upper and Lower Guinea as well as the Congo Basin. Phylogeographic analysis revealed the existence of four geographic lineages in F. anerythrus, corresponding to distinct forest blocks: Upper Guinea, relict forests of the Dahomey Gap, Lower Guinea, and the Congo Basin. This structuring of geographic lineages is consistent with previously published data on MPXV, reinforcing the hypothesis of coevolution between the virus and its host.
Discussion and Outlook
The identification of F. anerythrus as a potential MPXV reservoir has significant implications for understanding the epidemiological dynamics of this disease. The geographic structuring observed in the squirrel suggests that biogeographic barriers may influence the virus's dispersal. These results underscore the importance of monitoring animal populations, particularly in forest areas identified as at risk for monkeypox emergence.
The implications of this research go beyond simply identifying a reservoir. They touch on public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem management. The emergence of monkeypox outbreaks could be exacerbated by environmental changes, making the need for conservation and research initiatives all the more urgent. Public policies should integrate this new knowledge to develop effective prevention strategies. This could include awareness programs, targeted conservation efforts, and international collaborations aimed at monitoring ecosystem health.
Research on monkeypox and its potential animal reservoir also paves the way for future studies on the complex interactions between species, ecosystems, and pathogens. A thorough understanding of these relationships is essential for preventing and controlling zoonotic disease outbreaks in Africa and beyond.
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Sources and Access
Manon Curaudeau. Une approche pluridisciplinaire pour identifier les réservoirs animaux du virus du monkeypox en Afrique. Bactériologie. Université Paris Cité, 2025. Français. ⟨NNT : 2025UNIP7013⟩. ⟨tel-05438044⟩