The Runaway Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Leading to the Highly Evolved Delta Strain.

ABSTRACT: In new epidemics after the host shift, the pathogens may experience accelerated evolution driven by novel selective pressures. When the accelerated evolution enters a positive feedback loop with the expanding epidemics, the pathogen's runaway evolution may be triggered. To test this possibility in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we analyze the extensive databases and identify five major waves of strains, one replacing the previous one in 2020-2021. The mutations differ entirely between waves and the number of mutations continues to increase, from 3-4 to 21-31. The latest wave in the fall of 2021 is the Delta strain which accrues 31 new mutations to become highly prevalent. Interestingly, these new mutations in Delta strain emerge in multiple stages with each stage driven by 6-12 codin

SUBMITTER: Ruan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8903489 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature