"Prof. Dr. Matei Bals" National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.
Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2021 Apr;37(4):329-332. doi: 10.1089/AID.2021.0009. Epub 2021 Mar 9.
New SARS-CoV-2 variants are constantly emerging and putting a strain on public health systems by spreading faster and potentially evading immune protection through vaccination. One of these strains is the B.1.1.7 variant that has initially been described in the United Kingdom and has subsequently spread to several countries. Monitoring the amplification of the S gene-a major hotspot for molecular evolution-by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) allows rapidly screening for such variants. This report describes the detection of sequence variants in Romania by using this strategy followed by next-generation sequencing of the entire genome for confirmation and further characterization. One B.1.1.7 and three B.1.258 sequences were confirmed. Each of these strains presented additional mutations with possible impact on the replicative capacity. Public health strategies should be devised to ensure molecular monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 evolution during the pandemic and allow adequate and rapid reaction.
新型 SARS-CoV-2 变种不断出现，通过更快地传播和可能通过疫苗接种逃避免疫保护，给公共卫生系统带来压力。其中一种菌株是最初在英国描述的 B.1.1.7 变种，随后已传播到几个国家。通过逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）监测 S 基因的扩增-分子进化的主要热点-可以快速筛选此类变体。本报告描述了通过使用该策略在罗马尼亚检测到序列变体，然后对整个基因组进行下一代测序以进行确认和进一步表征。确认了一个 B.1.1.7 和三个 B.1.258 序列。这些菌株都存在可能影响复制能力的额外突变。应制定公共卫生策略，以确保在大流行期间对 SARS-CoV-2 进化进行分子监测，并允许进行适当和快速的反应。
