Emergence of the First Strains of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.1.7 in Romania: Genomic Analysis.
COVID-19
Romania
case study
epidemiology
genetics
genome
impact
infectious disease
lineage
mutation
sequencing
spread
strain
transmission
variant
virology
virus
Journal
JMIRx med
ISSN: 2563-6316
Titre abrégé: JMIRx Med
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 101776650
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
received:
27
02
2021
revised:
19
06
2021
accepted:
25
06
2021
entrez:
23
8
2021
pubmed:
24
8
2021
medline:
24
8
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The United Kingdom reported the emergence of a new and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.7) that rapidly spread to other countries. The impact of this new mutation-which occurs in the S protein-on infectivity, virulence, and current vaccine effectiveness is still under evaluation. The aim of this study is to sequence SARS-CoV-2 samples of cases in Romania to detect the B.1.1.7 variant and compare these samples with sequences submitted to GISAID. SARS-CoV-2 samples were sequenced and amino acid substitution analysis was performed using the CoV-GLUE platform. We have identified the first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant in samples collected from Romanian patients, of which one was traced to the region of the United Kingdom where the new variant was originally sequenced. Mutations in nonstructural protein 3 (Nsp3; N844S and D455N) and ORF3a (L15F) were also detected, indicating common ancestry with UK strains as well as remote connections with strains from Nagasaki, Japan. These results indicate, for the first time, the presence and characteristics of the new variant B.1.1.7 in Romania and underscore the need for increased genomic sequencing in patients with confirmed COVID-19.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The United Kingdom reported the emergence of a new and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.7) that rapidly spread to other countries. The impact of this new mutation-which occurs in the S protein-on infectivity, virulence, and current vaccine effectiveness is still under evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to sequence SARS-CoV-2 samples of cases in Romania to detect the B.1.1.7 variant and compare these samples with sequences submitted to GISAID.
METHODS
METHODS
SARS-CoV-2 samples were sequenced and amino acid substitution analysis was performed using the CoV-GLUE platform.
RESULTS
RESULTS
We have identified the first cases of the B.1.1.7 variant in samples collected from Romanian patients, of which one was traced to the region of the United Kingdom where the new variant was originally sequenced. Mutations in nonstructural protein 3 (Nsp3; N844S and D455N) and ORF3a (L15F) were also detected, indicating common ancestry with UK strains as well as remote connections with strains from Nagasaki, Japan.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate, for the first time, the presence and characteristics of the new variant B.1.1.7 in Romania and underscore the need for increased genomic sequencing in patients with confirmed COVID-19.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34424256
doi: 10.2196/28049
pii: v2i3e28049
pmc: PMC8363123
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
e28049Informations de copyright
©Andrei Lobiuc, Mihai Dimian, Olga Sturdza, Roxana Filip, Mihai Covasa. Originally published in JMIRx Med (https://med.jmirx.org), 13.08.2021.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflicts of Interest: None declared.
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