Proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant in Pakistan-A Short Surveillance Account.

ABSTRACT: The emergence of a more transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B1. 1.7) in the United Kingdom (UK) during late 2020 has raised major public health concerns. Several mutations have been reported in the genome of the B.1.1.7 variant including the N501Y and 69-70deletion in the Spike region that has implications on virus transmissibility and diagnostics. Although the B.1.1.7 variant has been reported by several countries, only three cases have been reported in Pakistan through whole-genome sequencing. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the circulation of B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC) in Pakistani population. We used a two-step strategy for the detection of B.1.1.7 with initial screening through TaqPath^TM COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR kit (ThermoFisher Scientific, Wa

SUBMITTER: Umair M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8200564 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature