Molecular Tracing of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy in the First Three Months of the Epidemic.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is the characterization and genomic tracing by phylogenetic analyses of 59 new SARS-CoV-2 Italian isolates obtained from patients attending clinical centres in North and Central Italy until the end of April 2020. All but one of the newly-characterized genomes belonged to the lineage B.1, the most frequently identified in European countries, including Italy. Only a single sequence was found to belong to lineage B. A mean of 6 nucleotide substitutions per viral genome was observed, without significant differences between synonymous and non-synonymous mutations, indicating genetic drift as a major source for virus evolution. tMRCA estimation confirmed the probable origin of the epidemic between the end of January and the beginning of February with a rapid increase in the

SUBMITTER: Lai A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7472216 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature