Abstract
Recombination is an evolutionary process by which many pathogens generate diversity and acquire novel functions. Although a common occurrence during coronavirus replication, detection of recombination is only feasible when genetically distinct viruses contemporaneously infect the same host. Here, we identify an instance of SARS-CoV-2 superinfection, whereby an individual was infected with two distinct viral variants: Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Epsilon (B.1.429). This superinfection was first noted when an Alpha genome sequence failed to exhibit the classic S gene target failure behavior used to track this variant. Full genome sequencing from four independent extracts reveals that Alpha variant alleles comprise around 75% of the genomes, whereas the Epsilon variant alleles comprise around 20% of the sample. Further investigation reveals the presence of numerous recombinant haplotypes spanning the genome, specifically in the spike, nucleocapsid, and ORF 8 coding regions. These findings support the potential for recombination to reshape SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity.
【초록키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Genome, variant, pathogen, B.1.1.7, nucleocapsid, Epsilon, Recombination, Alpha, B.1.429, Pathogens, genetic diversity, genomes, Alpha variant, superinfection, Haplotype, S gene, Coronavirus replication, Diversity, genome sequence, classic, Support, individual, allele, functions, full genome sequencing, coding regions, infect, Host, independent, Occurrence, identify, virus, generate, ORF, feasible, reveal, 【제목키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, variant, detection, New York City,