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Int J Infect Dis
. 2021 Mar 15;S1201-9712(21)00254-X.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.03.036. Online ahead of print.
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Congo
Francine Ntoumi 1 , Claujens Chastel Mfoutou Mapanguy 2 , Alexandru Tomazatos 3 , Srinivas Reddy Pallerla 3 , Le Thi Kieu Linh 4 , Nicolas Casadei 5 , Angel Angelov 6 , Michael Sonnabend 6 , Silke Peter 6 , Peter G Kremsner 7 , Thirumalaisamy P Velavan 8
Affiliations
- PMID: 33737129
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.03.036
Abstract
Objective: We performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from Congolese individuals sampled between April and July 2020.
Methods: We screened 96 samples for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR, and 19 samples with Ct values <30 were sequenced using Illumina Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). The genomes were annotated and screened for mutations using the web tool 'coronapp'. Subsequently, different SARS-CoV-2 lineages were assigned using PANGOLIN and Nextclade.
Results: Eleven SARS-CoV-2 genomes were successfully sequenced and submitted to the GSAID database. All genomes carried the spike mutation D614 G and were classified as part of the GH clade. The Congolese SARS-CoV-2 sequences belong to lineage B1 and nextclade 20A and 20C, which split into distinct clusters, indicating two separate introductions of the virus into the Republic of Congo.
Conclusion: This first study provides valuable information on SARS CoV-2 transmission in the central African region, contributing to SARS CoV-2 surveillance on a temporal and spatial scale.
Keywords: D614G; Republic of Congo; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 variants; lineage B1; whole genome sequencing.