scholarly journals Relative Consolidation of the Kappa Variant Pre-Dates the Massive Second Wave of COVID-19 in India

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.

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainsley C. Nicholson ◽  
Melissa Bell ◽  
Ben W. Humrighouse ◽  
John R. McQuiston

Here we report the complete genome sequences of two strains of the novel fastidious, partially acid-fast, Gram-positive bacillus “ Lawsonella clevelandensis ” (proposed). Their clinical relevance and unusual growth characteristics make them intriguing candidates for whole-genome sequencing.


Author(s):  
K. A. Nikiforov ◽  
L. M. Kukleva ◽  
Zh. V. Al’khova ◽  
E. G. Oglodin ◽  
M. A. Makashova ◽  
...  

Objective of the work was to identify molecular-genetic peculiarities, to conduct whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Yersinia pestis strains isolated inVietnam between 1962 and 1989.Materials and methods. We have studied the properties of 50 Y. pestis strains, carried out whole genome sequencing of 18 and fragment sequencing of 32 strains from Vietnam. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the basis of whole genome SNPanalysis by 1391 identified SNPs. Whole genome SNP-analysis and search for marker SNPs were conducted applying Wombac 2.0 software package. Phylogenetic diagram construction was done using Maximum Likelihood algorithm.Results and discussion. Several phylogenetic branches and Y. pestis populations coinciding with geographical and historical dissemination of the strains have been distinguished. The major part of the strains from Vietnam falls under the branch designated by us as 1.ORI2v. Two strains form a separate branch together with the strain from India belonging to 1.ORI2 line, one more strain, 55-801 Saigon, is set among the strains of 1.ORI1 line. Based on the data obtained and evidence from the literature sources it can be assumed that introduction of plague into Vietnam occurred through several waves: Nha Trang city in 1898, by sea; north provinces of the country – 1908. The second wave of Y. pestis dissemination across the territory of Vietnam began in 1960s with the emergence of the strains from the natural plague focus in Yunnan province, China.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1251
Author(s):  
Bourema Kouriba ◽  
Angela Dürr ◽  
Alexandra Rehn ◽  
Abdoul Karim Sangaré ◽  
Brehima Y. Traoré ◽  
...  

We are currently facing a pandemic of COVID-19, caused by a spillover from an animal-originating coronavirus to humans occurring in the Wuhan region of China in December 2019. From China, the virus has spread to 188 countries and regions worldwide, reaching the Sahel region on 2 March 2020. Since whole genome sequencing (WGS) data is very crucial to understand the spreading dynamics of the ongoing pandemic, but only limited sequencing data is available from the Sahel region to date, we have focused our efforts on generating the first Malian sequencing data available. Screening 217 Malian patient samples for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in 38 positive isolates, from which 21 whole genome sequences were generated. Our analysis shows that both the early A (19B) and the later observed B (20A/C) clade are present in Mali, indicating multiple and independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 to the Sahel region.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Cherian ◽  
Varsha Potdar ◽  
Santosh Jadhav ◽  
Pragya Yadav ◽  
Nivedita Gupta ◽  
...  

As the global severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic expands, genomic epidemiology and whole genome sequencing are being constantly used to investigate its transmissions and evolution. In the backdrop of the global emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) during December 2020 and an upsurge in a state in the western part of India since January 2021, whole genome sequencing and analysis of spike protein mutations using sequence and structural approaches was undertaken to identify possible new variants and gauge the fitness of current circulating strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the predominant clade in circulation was a distinct newly identified lineage B.1.617 possessing common signature mutations D111D, G142D, L452R, E484Q, D614G and P681R, in the spike protein including within the receptor binding domain (RBD). Of these, the mutations at residue positions 452, 484 and 681 have been reported in other globally circulating lineages. The structural analysis of RBD mutations L452R and E484Q along with P681R in the furin cleavage site, revealed that these may possibly result in increased ACE2 binding and rate of S1-S2 cleavage resulting in better transmissibility. The same two RBD mutations indicated decreased binding to select monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and may affect their neutralization potential. Experimental validation against a wider panel of mAbs, sera from vaccinees and those that recovered from natural infection needs to be studied. The emergence of such local variants through the accumulation of convergent mutations during the COVID-19 second wave needs to be further investigated for their public health impact in the rest of the country and its possibility of becoming a VOC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-242
Author(s):  
Ya. M. Krasnov ◽  
Zh. V. Alkhova ◽  
S. V. Generalov ◽  
I. V. Tuchkov ◽  
E. A. Naryshkina ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 905-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
David New ◽  
Alicia G Beukers ◽  
Sarah E Kidd ◽  
Adam J Merritt ◽  
Kerry Weeks ◽  
...  

AbstractWhole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to demonstrate the wide genetic variability within Sporothrix schenckii sensu lato and establish that there are two main species of Sporothrix within Australian clinical isolates—S. schenckii sensu stricto and Sporothrix globosa. We also demonstrated southwest Western Australia contained genetically similar S. schenckii ss strains that are distinct from strains isolated in the eastern and northern states of Australia. Some genetic clustering by region was also noted for northern NSW, Queensland, and Northern Territory. Phylogenetic analysis of WGS data provided greater phylogenetic resolution compared to analysis of the calmodulin gene alone.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tse H. Koh ◽  
Nurdyana Binte Abdul Rahman ◽  
Jeanette W. P. Teo ◽  
My-Van La ◽  
Balamurugan Periaswamy ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 16 isolates of the carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae complex to determine the flanking regions of bla IMI-type genes. Phylogenetic analysis of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) targets separated the isolates into 4 clusters. The bla IMI-type genes were all found on Xer-dependent integrative mobile elements (IMEX). The IMEX elements of 5 isolates were similar to those described in Canada, while the remainder were novel. Five isolates had IMEX elements lacking a resolvase and recombinase.


Author(s):  
Kelvin Kai-Wang To ◽  
Xin Li ◽  
David Christopher Lung ◽  
Jonathan Daniel Ip ◽  
Wan-Mui Chan ◽  
...  

Abstract A false-positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result can lead to unnecessary public-health measures. We report two individuals whose respiratory specimens were contaminated by inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine strain(CoronaVac), likely at vaccination premises. Incidentally, whole-genome sequencing of CoronaVac showed adaptive deletions on the spike protein, which do not result in observable changes of antigenicity.


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