University of Duhok, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Salahaddin University-Erbil, College of Education, Department of Biology, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Braz J Infect Dis. 2022 Sep-Oct;26(5):102677. doi: 10.1016/j.bjid.2022.102677. Epub 2022 Aug 8.
Despite vaccine development and vaccination programs underway around the globe, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been controlled as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving and new variants are emerging. This study was conducted to sequence and molecularly characterize the representing samples from the early fourth SARS-CoV-2 wave in Iraq. Here, we have performed next-generation sequencing of whole-genome sequencing of two representing samples from the country's early beginning of the fourth pandemic wave. The samples were sequenced using Illumina Miseq system, and the reference sequences were retrieved from GISAID database. Phylogenetic analysis was performed through Mega software. This study provides an initial sequence analysis and molecular characterization of the first Omicron variant cases recorded in the country. Our analysis revealed many mutations on the spike glycoprotein, especially on the receptor binding domain, with potential impact on immune escape and infectivity. The study findings suggest considering the highly mutated immunogenic epitope of the Omicron variant as a reference for developing a new vaccine for combating the ongoing pandemic.
尽管全球正在进行疫苗开发和接种计划，但由于 SARS-CoV-2 病毒不断进化并出现新的变体， 2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行仍未得到控制。本研究旨在对伊拉克第四波 SARS-CoV-2 早期代表样本进行测序和分子特征分析。在这里，我们对该国第四波大流行早期的两个代表样本进行了全基因组测序的下一代测序。使用 Illumina Miseq 系统对样本进行测序，并从 GISAID 数据库中检索参考序列。通过 Mega 软件进行系统发育分析。本研究提供了该国记录的首例奥密克戎变异病例的初步序列分析和分子特征。我们的分析显示，刺突糖蛋白上有许多突变，特别是在受体结合域，这可能对免疫逃逸和传染性产生影响。研究结果表明，应考虑将奥密克戎变异的高度突变免疫原性表位作为开发新疫苗以应对持续大流行的参考。
