scholarly journals Surge of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections Linked to Single Introduction of a Virus Strain in Myanmar, 2020

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myat Htut Nyunt ◽  
Hnin Ohnmar Soe ◽  
Kay Thi Aye ◽  
Wah Wah Aung ◽  
Yi Yi Kyaw ◽  
...  

Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major health concern globally. Genomic epidemiology is an important tool to assess the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several mutations have been reported by genome analysis of the SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we investigate mutational and phylogenetic analysis of 30 whole genome sequences for genomic characteristics of the virus in the specimens collected early phase of pandemic, (March-June, 2020) and sudden surge of infection (August-September, 2020). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 4 samples of L strain and 1 GR strain in early stage of local transmission, while 6 returnees by rescue flights showed GH (India) and GR strains (China and Philippines) with no evidence of local spread. However, all 19 whole genome sequences in sudden surge of local transmission showed genetically distinct clade GH (Lineage B.1.36). Surge of second wave on SARS-CoV-2 infection was linked to the single-introduction of the GH strain that may be a result of strict restriction of international travel and containment efforts. These genomic data provides the useful information to disease control and prevention strategy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Myat Htut Nyunt ◽  
Hnin Ohnmar Soe ◽  
Kay Thi Aye ◽  
Wah Wah Aung ◽  
Yi Yi Kyaw ◽  
...  

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a major health concern globally. Genomic epidemiology is an important tool to assess the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several mutations have been reported by genome analysis of the SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we investigated the mutational and phylogenetic analysis of 30 whole-genome sequences for the virus's genomic characteristics in the specimens collected in the early phase of the pandemic (March–June, 2020) and the sudden surge of local transmission (August–September, 2020). The four samples in the early phase of infection were B.6 lineage and located within a clade of the samples collected at the same time in Singapore and Malaysia, while five returnees by rescue flights showed the lineage B. 1.36.1 (three from India), B.1.1 (one from India) and B.1.80 (one from China). However, there was no evidence of local spread from these returnees. Further, all 19 whole-genome sequences collected in the sudden surge of local transmission showed lineage B.1.36. The surge of the second wave on SARS-CoV-2 infection was linked to the single-introduction of a variant (B.1.36) that may result from the strict restriction of international travel and containment efforts. These genomic data provides the useful information to disease control and prevention strategy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatiha M. Benslimane ◽  
Hebah A. AlKhatib ◽  
Ola Al-Jamal ◽  
Dana Albatesh ◽  
Sonia Boughattas ◽  
...  

The state of Qatar has emerged as a major transit hub connecting all parts of the globe, making it as a hotspot for infectious disease introduction and providing an ideal setting to monitor the emergence and spread of variants. In this study, we report on 2634 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences from infected patients in Qatar between March-2020 and March-2021, representing 1.5% of all positive cases in this period. Despite the restrictions on international travel, the viruses sampled from the populace of Qatar mirrored nearly the entire global population's genomic diversity with nine predominant viral lineages that were sustained by local transmission chains and the emergence of mutations that are likely to have originated in Qatar. We reported an increased number in the mutations and deletions in B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 lineages in a short period. This raises the imperative need to continue the ongoing genomic surveillance that has been an integral part of the national response to monitor SARS-CoV-2 profile and re-emergence in Qatar.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (47) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Paulino-Ramirez ◽  
E. Riego ◽  
A. Vallejo-Degaudenzi ◽  
V. V. Calderon ◽  
L. Tapia ◽  
...  

Here, we report the genome sequences of five severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains that were obtained from symptomatic individuals with travel histories during community surveillance in the Dominican Republic in 2020. These sequences provide a starting point for further genomic studies of gene flow and molecular diversity in the Caribbean nation. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that all genomes correspond to the B.1 variant.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1803
Author(s):  
Jitendra Singh ◽  
Anvita Gupta Malhotra ◽  
Debasis Biswas ◽  
Prem Shankar ◽  
Leena Lokhande ◽  
...  

India experienced a tragic second wave after the end of March 2021, which was far more massive than the first wave and was driven by the emergence of the novel delta variant (B.1.617.2) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this study, we explored the local and national landscape of the viral variants in the period immediately preceding the second wave to gain insight into the mechanism of emergence of the delta variant and thus improve our understanding of the causation of the second wave. We randomly selected 20 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples diagnosed in our lab between 3 February and 8 March 2021 and subjected them to whole genome sequencing. Nine of the 20 sequenced genomes were classified as kappa variant (B.1.617.1). The phylogenetic analysis of pan-India SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences also suggested the gradual replacement of the α variant with the kappa variant during this period. This relative consolidation of the kappa variant was significant, since it shared 3 of the 4 signature mutations (L452R, E484Q and P681R) observed in the spike protein of delta variant and thus was likely to be the precursor in its evolution. This study demonstrates the predominance of the kappa variant in the period immediately prior to the second wave and underscores its role as the “bridging variant” between the α and delta variants that drove the first and second waves of COVID-19 in India, respectively.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Giovanetti ◽  
Svetoslav Nanev Slavov ◽  
Vagner Fonseca ◽  
Eduan Wilkinson ◽  
Houriiyah Tegally ◽  
...  

Brazil has experienced some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths globally and made Latin America a pandemic epicenter from May 2021. Although SARS-CoV-2 established sustained transmission in Brazil early in the pandemic, important gaps remain in our understanding of local virus transmission dynamics. Here, we describe the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 using near-full genomes sampled from 27 Brazilian states and an adjacent country - Paraguay. We show that the early stage of the pandemic in Brazil was characterised by the co-circulation of multiple viral lineages, linked to multiple importations predominantly from Europe, and subsequently characterized by large local transmission clusters. As the epidemic progressed, the absence of effective restriction measures led to the local emergence and international spread of Variants of Concern (VOC) and under monitoring (VUM), including the Gamma (P.1) and Zeta (P.2) variants. In addition, we provide a preliminary genomic overview of the epidemic in Paraguay, showing evidence of importation from Brazil. These data reinforce the need for the implementation of widespread genomic surveillance in South America as a toolkit for pandemic monitoring and providing a means to follow the real-time spread of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants with possible implications for public health and immunization strategies.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1438
Author(s):  
Francesca Di Giallonardo ◽  
Sebastian Duchene ◽  
Ilaria Puglia ◽  
Valentina Curini ◽  
Francesca Profeta ◽  
...  

Italy was one of the first countries to experience a major epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with >1000 cases confirmed by 1 March 2020. However, virus genome sequence data is sparse and there has been only limited investigation of virus transmission across the country. Here, we provide the most extensive study to date of the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy covering the first wave of infection. We generated 191 new full-length genomes, largely sampled from central Italy (Abruzzo), before, during, and after the enforcement of a nationwide “lockdown” (8 March–3 June). These were combined with 460 published SARS-CoV-2 sequences sampled across Italy. Phylogenetic analysis including global sequence data revealed multiple independent introductions into Italy, with at least 124 instances of sequence clusters representing longer chains of transmission. Eighteen of these transmission clusters emerged before the nation-wide lockdown was implemented on 8 March, and an additional 18 had evidence for transmission between different Italian regions. Extended transmission periods between infections of up to 104 days were observed in five clusters. In addition, we found seven clusters that persisted throughout the lockdown period. Overall, we show how importations were an important driver of the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (38) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawit Hailu Alemayehu ◽  
Bethlehem Adnew ◽  
Fekadu Alemu ◽  
Dessalegn Abeje Tefera ◽  
Tamrayehu Seyoum ◽  
...  

Three complete severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from Ethiopian patients were compared with deposited global genomes. Two genomes belonged to genetic group 20A/B.1/GH, and the other belonged to genetic group 20A/B.1.480/GH. Enhancing genomic capacity is important to investigate the transmission and to monitor the evolution and mutational patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in this country.


Author(s):  
Hu Xu ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Wansheng Li ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Bangjun Gong ◽  
...  

NADC34-like PRRSV strains were first detected in China in 2017, with epidemic potential. In this study, the phylogenetic, epidemic, and recombinant properties of NADC34-like PRRSV in China were evaluated comprehensively. From 2020 to October 2021, 82 NADC34-like PRRSV isolates were obtained from 433 PRRSV-positive clinical samples. These strains accounted for 11.5% and 28.6% of positives in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and have spread to eight provinces. We selected 15 samples for whole-genome sequencing, revealing genome lengths of 15,009 to 15,113 nt. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chinese NADC34-like strains cluster with American sublineage 1.5 strains and do not form an independent branch. Recombination analysis revealed that six of fifteen complete genome sequences derived from recombination between NADC34-like and NADC30-like or HP-PRRSV; they all recombined with local strains in China, exhibiting a complex recombination pattern. Partial Nsp2 sequence alignment showed that nine of fifteen isolates have a continuous 100-aa deletion (similar to IA/2014/NADC34); other isolates have a 131-aa discontinuity deletion (similar to NADC30). Five of them also have additional amino acid deletions, all of which are reported for the first time here. In the last two years, NADC34-like PRRSV has become one of the main epidemic strains in some areas of China; it has changed significantly, its homology has decreased significantly, and it has undergone complex recombination with local Chinese strains. These results are of great significance for understanding the current epidemic situation of PRRSV in China.


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