• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

Int J Infect Dis . Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Congo

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
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[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Claujens Chastel Mfoutou Mapanguy[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Alexandru Tomazatos[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Srinivas Reddy Pallerla[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Le Thi Kieu Linh[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Nicolas Casadei[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Angel Angelov[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Michael Sonnabend[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Silke Peter[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Peter G Kremsner[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Thirumalaisamy P Velavan[SUP] 8 [/SUP]



Affiliations

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.
 
Back
Top Bottom