Sequencing and mutations analysis of the first recorded SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during the fourth wave of pandemic in Iraq

Despite vaccine development and vaccination programs underway around the globe, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been controlled as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving and new variants are emerging. This study was conducted to sequence and molecularly characterize the representi...

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Published in:	The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases Vol. 26; no. 5; pp. 1 - 102677
Main Authors:	Ahmed, Jivan Qasim, Maulud, Sazan Qader, Al-Qadi, Rawand, Mohamed, Teroj Abdulrahman, Tayib, Gahin Abdulraheem, Hassan, Akheenk Mustafa, Taha, Luqman Saleh, Qasim, Khairi Mohammed, Tawfeeq, Mohammed Abid
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier España, S.L.U 01-09-2022 Contexto Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases Elsevier
Subjects:	Causes of COVID-19 DNA sequencing Epidemics INFECTIOUS DISEASES Microbial mutation Nucleotide sequencing Omicron variant Original SARS-CoV-2 Variant of concern Virus research Iraq COVID-19 Omicron variant SARS-CoV-2 Variant of concern
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Summary:	Despite vaccine development and vaccination programs underway around the globe, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not been controlled as the SARS-CoV-2 virus is evolving and new variants are emerging. This study was conducted to sequence and molecularly characterize the representing samples from the early fourth SARS-CoV-2 wave in Iraq. Here, we have performed next-generation sequencing of whole-genome sequencing of two representing samples from the country's early beginning of the fourth pandemic wave. The samples were sequenced using Illumina Miseq system, and the reference sequences were retrieved from GISAID database. Phylogenetic analysis was performed through Mega software. This study provides an initial sequence analysis and molecular characterization of the first Omicron variant cases recorded in the country. Our analysis revealed many mutations on the spike glycoprotein, especially on the receptor binding domain, with potential impact on immune escape and infectivity. The study findings suggest considering the highly mutated immunogenic epitope of the Omicron variant as a reference for developing a new vaccine for combating the ongoing pandemic.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1413-8670 1678-4391 1678-4391
DOI:	10.1016/j.bjid.2022.102677