Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity circulating in South American countries: Signatures of potentially emergent lineages?

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Luz H. Patiño¹  Marina Muñoz²  Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi²  Nathalia Ballesteros²  Juan David Ramírez³ 

[1] Corresponding authors.;Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia;Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Laboratory of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA;

关键词: SARS-CoV-2;    Lineages of epidemiological concern;    B.1.1.7;    B.1.351;    P.1;    South America;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Objectives: To evaluate the genomic diversity and geographic distribution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in South America. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 lineages from a public dataset of 5583 South American genome assemblies were analyzed. Polymorphisms in the main open reading frames were identified and compared to those in the main lineages of epidemiological concern: B.1.1.7 (UK) and B.1.351 (South Africa). Results: Across 16 South American countries, 169 lineages were identified; major lineage B had the greatest diversity and broadest geographic distribution. Seventeen predominant lineages were analyzed revealing 2 dominant lineages of concern: P.1 (Brazilian variant) and B.1.1.7 with 94 and 28 genomes, respectively, both with 33 polymorphisms (other lineages displayed ≤24 polymorphisms). A high number of polymorphisms were detected with a limited number of common variable positions, in common with the profile of the main lineages of epidemiological concern. Conclusions: The ever-increasing genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 continues to lead to novel lineage emergence. Various variants and lineages are now present across South America, dominated by major lineage B. The circulation of P.1 and B.1.1.7 and the high number of polymorphisms highlight the importance of genomic surveillance to determine introduction events, identify transmission chains, trace emergence, and implement prevention, vaccination and control strategies.

【 授权许可】

Unknown