Emergence in southern France of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant harbouring both N501Y and E484K substitutions in the spike protein.

ABSTRACT: SARS-CoV-2 variants have become a major virological, epidemiological, and clinical concern, particularly with regard to the risk of escape from vaccine-induced immunity. Here, we describe the emergence of a new variant, with the index case returning from travel in Cameroon. For 13 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients living in the same geographical area of southeastern France, a qPCR test for screening variant-associated mutations showed an atypical combination. The genome sequences were obtained by next-generation sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies on GridION instruments within about 8 h. Analysis revealed 46 nucleotide substitutions and 37 deletions, resulting in 30 amino acid substitutions and 12 deletions. Fourteen of the amino acid substitutions, including N501Y and E484K, and nine

SUBMITTER: Colson P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8853869 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature