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Temporal Dynamics and Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Demonstrate the Necessity of Ongoing Viral Genome Sequencing in Ontario, Canada

Authors :
Tony Mazzulli
Henry Wong
Andrew G. McArthur
Jennifer L. Guthrie
Prameet M. Sheth
Marc Desjardins
Nahuel Fittipaldi
Calvin Sjaarda
Robert Slinger
Samir N. Patel
Danielle Brabant-Kirwan
Allison McGeer
Katya Douchant
Leanne Mortimer
Bettina Hamelin
Aaron Campigotto
Robert I. Colautti
Jared T. Simpson
Ramzi Fattouh
Samira Mubareka
Source :
mSphere, mSphere, Vol 6, Iss 3 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
American Society for Microbiology, 2021.

Abstract

Genome-wide variation in SARS-CoV-2 reveals evolution and transmission dynamics which are critical considerations for disease control and prevention decisions. Here, we review estimates of the genome-wide viral mutation rates, summarize current COVID-19 case load in the province of Ontario, Canada (5 January 2021), and analyze published SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Ontario (collected prior to 24 November 2020) to test for more infectious genetic variants or lineages.<br />Genome-wide variation in SARS-CoV-2 reveals evolution and transmission dynamics which are critical considerations for disease control and prevention decisions. Here, we review estimates of the genome-wide viral mutation rates, summarize current COVID-19 case load in the province of Ontario, Canada (5 January 2021), and analyze published SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Ontario (collected prior to 24 November 2020) to test for more infectious genetic variants or lineages. The reported mutation rate (∼10−6 nucleotide [nt]−1 cycle−1) for SARS-CoV-2 is typical for coronaviruses. Analysis of published SARS-CoV-2 genomes revealed that the G614 spike protein mutation has dominated infections in Ontario and that SARS-CoV-2 lineages present in Ontario have not differed significantly in their rate of spread. These results suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 population circulating in Ontario has not changed significantly to date. However, ongoing genome monitoring is essential for identification of new variants and lineages that may contribute to increased viral transmission.

Details

Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
mSphere, mSphere, Vol 6, Iss 3 (2021)
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....2a3b2f1f8c4c3112b6f747bb6c93c1ce