학술논문
Detection of High Level of Co-Infection and the Emergence of Novel SARS CoV-2 Delta-Omicron and Omicron-Omicron Recombinants in the Epidemiological Surveillance of Andalusia
Document Type
article
Author
Javier Perez-Florido; Carlos S. Casimiro-Soriguer; Francisco Ortuño; Jose L. Fernandez-Rueda; Andrea Aguado; María Lara; Cristina Riazzo; Manuel A. Rodriguez-Iglesias; Pedro Camacho-Martinez; Laura Merino-Diaz; Inmaculada Pupo-Ledo; Adolfo de Salazar; Laura Viñuela; Ana Fuentes; Natalia Chueca; The Andalusian COVID-19 Sequencing Initiative; Federico García; Joaquín Dopazo; Jose A. Lepe
Source
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 24, Iss 3, p 2419 (2023)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1422-0067
1661-6596
1661-6596
Abstract
Recombination is an evolutionary strategy to quickly acquire new viral properties inherited from the parental lineages. The systematic survey of the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences of the Andalusian genomic surveillance strategy has allowed the detection of an unexpectedly high number of co-infections, which constitute the ideal scenario for the emergence of new recombinants. Whole genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 has been carried out as part of the genomic surveillance programme. Sample sources included the main hospitals in the Andalusia region. In addition to the increase of co-infections and known recombinants, three novel SARS-CoV-2 delta-omicron and omicron-omicron recombinant variants with two break points have been detected. Our observations document an epidemiological scenario in which co-infection and recombination are detected more frequently. Finally, we describe a family case in which co-infection is followed by the detection of a recombinant made from the two co-infecting variants. This increased number of recombinants raises the risk of emergence of recombinant variants with increased transmissibility and pathogenicity.