Whole-Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.525 Strains (Variant η) Detected from Patients in the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy) during Spring 2021

Compagni, Emiliano Delli; Mangone, Iolanda; Bonfini, Barbara; Gennaro, Annapia Di; Teodori, Liana; Leone, Alessandra; Casaccia, Claudia; Portanti, Ottavio; Averaimo, Daniela; Zilli, Katiuscia; Malatesta, Daniela; Ancora, Massimo; Scialabba, Silvia; Domenico, Marco Di; Lorusso, Alessio

doi:10.1128/mra.00618-21

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

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“…Positive selection mechanisms among immunized individuals might drive the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 toward lineages with a partial or full resistance to current vaccination strategies. In this regard, the occurrence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants that majorly affect spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 will be a dramatic clinical challenge (Delli Compagni et al, 2021;Gushchin et al, 2021;Raman et al, 2021;Suppiah et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold traps as reliable devices for quantitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 load in aerosols

Gehrke

Förderer

Weiskirchen

et al. 2021

Environ Monit Assess

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Spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a demanding challenge. This is of particular importance in schools and public areas of unavoidable access. New viral mutations may increase infectivity and require even better methods to identify areas of potential hazards. High-throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing and legal restrictions are not effective in order to get the current outbreak under control. The occurrence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with a higher transmissibility requires efficient strategies for early detection and surveillance. Until today, testing focuses on nasal or pharyngeal mucosa swabs, neglecting the origin of aerosolic transmission, thus failing to detect the spread by carriers of the virus. Therefore, in this study, SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels were determined by quantitative real time PCR in aerosols collected by non-powered cold traps. SARS-CoV-2 spreading kinetics were recorded in indoor hotspots within a high-endemic area. These hotspots included a SARS-CoV-2 isolation unit, an outpatient endoscopy facility, a concert hall, and a shopping mall. For determination of viral presence aerosols were collected by cold traps positioned at different locations in the area of interest over a period of 4–6 h. Indoor SARS-CoV-2 hotspots were found in non-ventilated areas and in zones that are predisposed to a buoyancy (chimney) effect. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in those aerosols reached concentrations of 105 copies/mL, while extensive outdoor air ventilation reliably eliminated SARS-CoV-2 aerosol contamination. The method presented herein is effective for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 indoor hotspots and may help to characterize the spreading kinetics of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, it can be used for the surveillance of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Due to low costs and easy handling, the procedure might enable efficient algorithms for COVID-19 screening and prevention.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold traps as reliable devices for quantitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 load in aerosols

Gehrke

Förderer

Weiskirchen

et al. 2021

Environ Monit Assess

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Variants of SARS CoV-2: mutations, transmissibility, virulence, drug resistance, and antibody/vaccine sensitivity

Prü¹

2022

Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed)

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Severe acute respiratory syndrom coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease-19 which has been designated a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Since that time, the virus has mutated and an assortment of variants have been successful at establishing themselves in the human population. This review article describes the SARS CoV-2 genome, hot spot mutations, variants, and then focuses on the Delta variant, finishing up with an update on the Omicron variant. The genome encompasses 11 open reading frames, one of which encodes the spike or S protein that has been the target for vaccines and some of the drugs because of its role in attachment to the human host cell, as well as antibodies. Mutations in the S protein that are common among several of the variants include D614G that increases transmissibility and viral load and is often associated with P323L on the RNA dependent RNA polymerase. N501Y is a mutation in the receptor binding domain of the S protein that increases binding to the ACE-2 receptor on the human host cells by 10 fold. The discussed variants carry combinations of these and other mutations and are classified by the World Health Organization as variants of concern, variants of interest, and variants under monitoring. All variants are characterized by increased transmissibility (relative to the original SARS CoV-2), which is the reason for their ability to establish themselves. Several but not all variants are more resistant to antiviral drugs and less susceptible to antibodies/vaccines. The Delta variant that dominated the world until November 2021 causes an increased risk for hospitalization and death, but is still very susceptible to the current vaccines. The most recent variant, Omicron, is characterized by increased transmissibility and decreased antibody susceptibility.

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COVID-19 Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review of the RT-qPCR Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2

Dutta

Naiyer

Mansuri³

et al. 2022

Diagnostics

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The world is grappling with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the causative agent of which is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 symptoms are similar to the common cold, including fever, sore throat, cough, muscle and chest pain, brain fog, dyspnoea, anosmia, ageusia, and headache. The manifestation of the disease can vary from being asymptomatic to severe life-threatening conditions warranting hospitalization and ventilation support. Furthermore, the emergence of mutecated variants of concern (VOCs) is paramount to the devastating effect of the pandemic. This highly contagious virus and its emergent variants challenge the available advanced viral diagnostic methods for high-accuracy testing with faster result yields. This review is to shed light on the natural history, pathology, molecular biology, and efficient diagnostic methods of COVID-19, detecting SARS-CoV-2 in collected samples. We reviewed the gold standard RT-qPCR method for COVID-19 diagnosis to confer a better understanding and application to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive review may further develop awareness about the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Whole-Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.525 Strains (Variant η) Detected from Patients in the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy) during Spring 2021

Abstract: Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants are emerging worldwide. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 13 severe acute SARS-CoV-2 strains belonging to lineage B.1.525 (variant η).

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

Cold traps as reliable devices for quantitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 load in aerosols

Cold traps as reliable devices for quantitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 load in aerosols

Variants of SARS CoV-2: mutations, transmissibility, virulence, drug resistance, and antibody/vaccine sensitivity

COVID-19 Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Review of the RT-qPCR Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2

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