biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Garcia IThe emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to a global pandemic, prompting extensive research efforts to understand its molecular biology, transmission dynamics, and pathogenesis. Recombination events have been increasingly recognized as significant contributor to the virus's diversity and evolution, potentially leading to the emergence of novel strains with altered biological properties. Indeed, recombinant lineages such as the XBB variant and its descendants have subsequently dominated globally. Therefore, continued surveillance and monitoring of viral genome diversity are crucial to identify and understand the emergence and spread of novel strains. Through routine genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Norway, we discovered a SARS-CoV-2 recombination event in a long-term infected imScientific reports25790https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11519929biostudies-literatureRecombinant SARS-CoV-2 Delta/Omicron BA.5 emerging in an immunocompromised long-term infected COVID-19 patient.PMC11519929Garcia IFjære OHungnes ORohringer AMoen LVFossum EBrate JBragstad KZaragkoulias KfalseRecombinant SARS-CoV-2 Delta/Omicron BA.5 emerging in an immunocompromised long-term infected COVID-19 patient.The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to a global pandemic, prompting extensive research efforts to understand its molecular biology, transmission dynamics, and pathogenesis. Recombination events have been increasingly recognized as significant contributor to the virus's diversity and evolution, potentially leading to the emergence of novel strains with altered biological properties. Indeed, recombinant lineages such as the XBB variant and its descendants have subsequently dominated globally. Therefore, continued surveillance and monitoring of viral genome diversity are crucial to identify and understand the emergence and spread of novel strains. Through routine genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Norway, we discovered a SARS-CoV-2 recombination event in a long-term infected im2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2025-04-04T13:20:41.551Z2025-04-04T13:20:41.551ZS-EPMC115199293946822110.1038/s41598-024-75241-3