Novel SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in Istanbul; Rapid Preponderance of BA.2 and BA.5.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In Turkey, the fourth wave of SARS-CoV-2 started in December 2021 and peaked in mid-January 2022. Afterward, peaks were seen in the number of COVID-19 cases because of Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 variants. Our study aimed to observe the prevalence and viral load-related transmissibility rates of the Omicron BA.2 and BA.5 variant infections in our region between January 21 and July 01, 2022, using an easy and cost-effective PCR screening method.

Methods

The frequency of BA.2 and BA.5 were determined by the two-stage allele-specific and drop-out RT-PCR method targeting NSP6 105-107del, spike 69-70del, and spike L452R mutation-specific primers. Transmissibility of the Omicron variants was assessed using cycle threshold (Ct) values (a proxy for SARS-CoV-2 viral load and infe

SUBMITTER: Tuyji-Tok Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10985815 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature