1. Emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.620 with variant of concern-like mutations and deletions.
- Author
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Dudas G, Hong SL, Potter BI, Calvignac-Spencer S, Niatou-Singa FS, Tombolomako TB, Fuh-Neba T, Vickos U, Ulrich M, Leendertz FH, Khan K, Huber C, Watts A, Olendraitė I, Snijder J, Wijnant KN, Bonvin AMJJ, Martres P, Behillil S, Ayouba A, Maidadi MF, Djomsi DM, Godwe C, Butel C, Šimaitis A, Gabrielaitė M, Katėnaitė M, Norvilas R, Raugaitė L, Koyaweda GW, Kandou JK, Jonikas R, Nasvytienė I, Žemeckienė Ž, Gečys D, Tamušauskaitė K, Norkienė M, Vasiliūnaitė E, Žiogienė D, Timinskas A, Šukys M, Šarauskas M, Alzbutas G, Aziza AA, Lusamaki EK, Cigolo JM, Mawete FM, Lofiko EL, Kingebeni PM, Tamfum JM, Belizaire MRD, Essomba RG, Assoumou MCO, Mboringong AB, Dieng AB, Juozapaitė D, Hosch S, Obama J, Ayekaba MO, Naumovas D, Pautienius A, Rafaï CD, Vitkauskienė A, Ugenskienė R, Gedvilaitė A, Čereškevičius D, Lesauskaitė V, Žemaitis L, Griškevičius L, and Baele G
- Subjects
- Africa, Central epidemiology, Antibodies, Neutralizing immunology, COVID-19 epidemiology, Europe epidemiology, Humans, Immune Evasion genetics, Mutation, Phylogeny, Phylogeography, SARS-CoV-2 classification, SARS-CoV-2 immunology, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus genetics, Travel statistics & numerical data, COVID-19 transmission, COVID-19 virology, SARS-CoV-2 genetics
- Abstract
Distinct SARS-CoV-2 lineages, discovered through various genomic surveillance initiatives, have emerged during the pandemic following unprecedented reductions in worldwide human mobility. We here describe a SARS-CoV-2 lineage - designated B.1.620 - discovered in Lithuania and carrying many mutations and deletions in the spike protein shared with widespread variants of concern (VOCs), including E484K, S477N and deletions HV69Δ, Y144Δ, and LLA241/243Δ. As well as documenting the suite of mutations this lineage carries, we also describe its potential to be resistant to neutralising antibodies, accompanying travel histories for a subset of European cases, evidence of local B.1.620 transmission in Europe with a focus on Lithuania, and significance of its prevalence in Central Africa owing to recent genome sequencing efforts there. We make a case for its likely Central African origin using advanced phylogeographic inference methodologies incorporating recorded travel histories of infected travellers., (© 2021. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2021
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