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SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Lebanon: Evolution and Current Situation.
Nancy Fayad1, Walid Abi Habib1, Ahmed Kandeil2
1School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon.
Biology
|July 2, 2021
Summary
This study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Lebanon, classifying strains and identifying 21 uncommon mutations in structural proteins. Findings reveal diverse clades and lineages, offering insights into viral evolution in the region.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic since 2019.
- Lebanon reported significant SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths, necessitating local genomic surveillance.
- Genome sequencing and classification systems like GISAID clades are crucial for understanding viral spread and evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 strains using genomic data.
- To determine the phylogenetic relationships among these strains.
- To identify specific mutations, particularly in structural proteins, within the Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 58 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Lebanon.
- Sequencing of 28 new strains and retrieval of 30 existing strains from public databases (GISAID, GenBank).
- Classification using GISAID clades and Pango lineages, with a focus on mutations in structural proteins.
Main Results:
- Lebanese SARS-CoV-2 strains were classified into four GISAID clades and eleven Pango lineages.
- Twenty-one uncommon mutations were identified in the structural proteins of newly sequenced strains.
- Specific combinations of mutations were observed within the spike proteins.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a snapshot of the genetic diversity and clade distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Lebanon.
- The identified mutations highlight potential variations in viral infectivity and transmission characteristics.
- Genomic surveillance is essential for monitoring the evolving SARS-CoV-2 landscape in specific regions.
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