1. Multiple expansions of globally uncommon SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Nigeria.
- Author
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Ozer EA, Simons LM, Adewumi OM, Fowotade AA, Omoruyi EC, Adeniji JA, Olayinka OA, Dean TJ, Zayas J, Bhimalli PP, Ash MK, Maiga AI, Somboro AM, Maiga M, Godzik A, Schneider JR, Mamede JI, Taiwo BO, Hultquist JF, and Lorenzo-Redondo R
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Africa, Western, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antibodies, Neutralizing, Antibodies, Viral, COVID-19 diagnosis, COVID-19 epidemiology, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Genome, Viral, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mutation, Nigeria epidemiology, Phylogeny, SARS-CoV-2 isolation & purification, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus chemistry, Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus genetics, Young Adult, COVID-19 virology, SARS-CoV-2 classification, SARS-CoV-2 genetics
- Abstract
Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance have limited our understanding of the viral population dynamics and may delay identification of globally important variants. Despite being the most populated country in Africa, Nigeria has remained critically under sampled. Here, we report sequences from 378 SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected in Oyo State, Nigeria between July 2020 and August 2021. In early 2021, most isolates belonged to the Alpha "variant of concern" (VOC) or the Eta lineage. Eta outcompeted Alpha in Nigeria and across West Africa, persisting in the region even after expansion of an otherwise rare Delta sub-lineage. Spike protein from the Eta variant conferred increased infectivity and decreased neutralization by convalescent sera in vitro. Phylodynamic reconstructions suggest that Eta originated in West Africa before spreading globally and represented a VOC in early 2021. These results demonstrate a distinct distribution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Nigeria, and emphasize the need for improved genomic surveillance worldwide., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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