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Tracking cryptic SARS-CoV-2 hospital outbreak through quasispecies analysis
Serena Messali1, Marta Giovanetti2,3, Alessandro Rondina1
1Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, Brescia, 25123, Italy.
Analyzing intra-host single nucleotide variants (iSNVs) in SARS-CoV-2 genomes enabled accurate identification of transmission chains among hospitalized patients. This genomic approach effectively traced virus spread within a hospital setting.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Contact tracing is crucial for understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics.
- Intra-host single nucleotide variant (iSNV) analysis offers a potential tool for outbreak investigations.
- Identifying transmission chains is vital for controlling viral spread in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze SARS-CoV-2 iSNVs in specific genes (nsp2, ORF3, ORF7).
- To identify virus transmission chains among patients hospitalized at Brescia Civic Hospital.
- To evaluate the utility of genomic analysis for contact tracing.
Main Methods:
- Collected and molecularly characterized 13 nasopharyngeal specimens from August to October 2023.
- Performed phylogenetic analysis to assess epidemiological links between cases.
- Utilized the Beta-binomial method to estimate transmission bottleneck size (Nb).
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters (HV.1/EG.5.1.6 and FL.10.1 lineages) in the cardiology unit.
- Successfully elucidated SARS-CoV-2 transmission chains by evaluating bottleneck size.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of genomic tracing in a clinical environment.
Conclusions:
- Genomic analysis based on iSNVs is a viable method for SARS-CoV-2 tracing studies.
- This approach can accurately identify virus transmission pathways.
- The findings support the integration of genomic tools in public health surveillance.
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