Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 genomes are currently circulating at low levels.

ABSTRACT: Viral recombination can generate novel genotypes with unique phenotypic characteristics, including transmissibility and virulence. Although the capacity for recombination among betacoronaviruses is well documented, there is limited evidence of recombination between SARS-CoV-2 strains. By identifying the mutations that primarily determine SARS-CoV-2 clade structure, we developed a lightweight approach for detecting recombinant genomes. Among the over 537,000 genomes queried, we detect 1175 putative recombinants that contain multiple mutational markers from distinct clades. Additional phylogenetic analysis and the observed co-circulation of predicted parent clades in the geographic regions of exposure further support the feasibility of recombination in these detected cases. An analysis of th

SUBMITTER: VanInsberghe D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7987012 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature