학술논문
One Year of SARS-CoV-2: Genomic Characterization of COVID-19 Outbreak in Qatar
Document Type
article
Author
Fatiha M. Benslimane; Hebah A. Al Khatib; Ola Al-Jamal; Dana Albatesh; Sonia Boughattas; Ayeda A Ahmed; Meryem Bensaad; Shameem Younuskunju; Yasmin A. Mohamoud; Mashael Al Badr; Abdalla A. Mohamed; Reham A. El-Kahlout; Tasneem Al-Hamad; Dina Elgakhlab; Fatima H. Al-Kuwari; Chadi Saad; Andrew Jeremijenko; Abdullatif Al-Khal; Muna A. Al-Maslamani; Roberto Bertollini; Einas A. Al-Kuwari; Hamad E. Al-Romaihi; Salih Al-Marri; Mohammed Al-Thani; Radja M. Badji; Hamdi Mbarek; Yasser Al-Sarraj; Joel A. Malek; Said I. Ismail; Laith J. Abu-Raddad; Peter V. Coyle; Asmaa A. Al Thani; Hadi M. Yassine
Source
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Vol 11 (2021)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2235-2988
Abstract
Qatar, a country with a strong health system and a diverse population consisting mainly of expatriate residents, has experienced two large waves of COVID-19 outbreak. In this study, we report on 2634 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences from infected patients in Qatar between March-2020 and March-2021, representing 1.5% of all positive cases in this period. Despite the restrictions on international travel, the viruses sampled from the populace of Qatar mirrored nearly the entire global population’s genomic diversity with nine predominant viral lineages that were sustained by local transmission chains and the emergence of mutations that are likely to have originated in Qatar. We reported an increased number of mutations and deletions in B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 lineages in a short period. These findings raise the imperative need to continue the ongoing genomic surveillance that has been an integral part of the national response to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 profile and re-emergence in Qatar.