Competition for dominance within replicating quasispecies during prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in an immunocompromised host.

ABSTRACT: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) emerge for their capability to better adapt to the human host aimed and enhance human-to-human transmission. Mutations in spike largely contributed to adaptation. Viral persistence is a prerequisite for intra-host virus evolution, and this likely occurred in immunocompromised patients who allow intra-host long-term viral replication. The underlying mechanism leading to the emergence of variants during viral persistence in the immunocompromised host is still unknown. Here, we show the existence of an ensemble of minor mutants in the early biological samples obtained from an immunocompromised patient and their dynamic interplay with the master mutant during a persistent and productive long-term infection.

SUBMITTER: Caccuri F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9129230 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature