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Amplification Artifact in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sequences Carrying P681R Mutation, New York, USA
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|February 7, 2022
Abstract:
Of 379 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 samples collected in New York, USA, we detected 86 Omicron variant sequences containing Delta variant mutation P681R. Probable explanations were co-infection with 2 viruses or contamination/amplification artifact. Repeated library preparation with fewer cycles showed the P681R calls were artifactual. Unusual mutations should be interpreted with caution.
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