Identification of SARS CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and a novel Delta lineage by rapid methods and partial spike protein sequences in Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Five variants of concern (VOCs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) have been globally recorded including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. The Omicron variant has outcompeted the other variants including the Delta variant. Molecular screenings of VOCs are important for surveillance, treatment, and vaccination programs. This study aimed to identify VOCs by using rapid inexpensive methods and partial sequencing of the virus's spike gene.

Methods

Mutation-specific rRT PCR probes were used for both D614G and K417N mutations to potentially discriminate between Delta and Omicron variants. These were followed by sequencing of a fragment of spike gene (748 nucleotides), which covers the most notable VOC mutations in the receptor binding

SUBMITTER: Rasheed MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10022420 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature