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Pipek OA, Medgyes-Horváth A, Stéger J, Papp K, Visontai D, Koopmans M, Nieuwenhuijse D, Oude Munnink BB, Csabai I. Systematic detection of co-infection and intra-host recombination in more than 2 million global SARS-CoV-2 samples. Nat Commun 2024; 15:517. [PMID: 38225254 PMCID: PMC10789779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43391-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Systematic monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 co-infections between different lineages and assessing the risk of intra-host recombinant emergence are crucial for forecasting viral evolution. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of more than 2 million SARS-CoV-2 raw read datasets submitted to the European COVID-19 Data Portal to identify co-infections and intra-host recombination. Co-infection was observed in 0.35% of the investigated cases. Two independent procedures were implemented to detect intra-host recombination. We show that sensitivity is predominantly determined by the density of lineage-defining mutations along the genome, thus we used an expanded list of mutually exclusive defining mutations of specific variant combinations to increase statistical power. We call attention to multiple challenges rendering recombinant detection difficult and provide guidelines for the reduction of false positives arising from chimeric sequences produced during PCR amplification. Additionally, we identify three recombination hotspots of Delta - Omicron BA.1 intra-host recombinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Anna Pipek
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Anna Medgyes-Horváth
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary.
| | - József Stéger
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Papp
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Dávid Visontai
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
| | - Marion Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - David Nieuwenhuijse
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bas B Oude Munnink
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - István Csabai
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány P. s. 1A, Budapest, 1117, Hungary
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2
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Ramos-Mandujano G, Grünberg R, Zhang Y, Bi C, Guzmán-Vega FJ, Shuaib M, Gorchakov RV, Xu J, Tehseen M, Takahashi M, Takahashi E, Dada A, Ahmad AN, Hamdan SM, Pain A, Arold ST, Li M. An open-source, automated, and cost-effective platform for COVID-19 diagnosis and rapid portable genomic surveillance using nanopore sequencing. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20349. [PMID: 37990068 PMCID: PMC10663496 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47190-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has emphasized the necessity for scalable diagnostic workflows using locally produced reagents and basic laboratory equipment with minimal dependence on global supply chains. We introduce an open-source automated platform for high-throughput RNA extraction and pathogen diagnosis, which uses reagents almost entirely produced in-house. This platform integrates our methods for self-manufacturing magnetic nanoparticles and qRT-PCR reagents-both of which have received regulatory approval for clinical use-with an in-house, open-source robotic extraction protocol. It also incorporates our "Nanopore Sequencing of Isothermal Rapid Viral Amplification for Near Real-time Analysis" (NIRVANA) technology, designed for tracking SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants. The platform exhibits high reproducibility and consistency without cross-contamination, and its limit of detection, sensitivity, and specificity are comparable to commercial assays. Automated NIRVANA effectively identifies circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Our in-house, cost-effective reagents, automated diagnostic workflows, and portable genomic surveillance strategies provide a scalable and rapid solution for COVID-19 diagnosis and variant tracking, essential for current and future pandemic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Ramos-Mandujano
- Stem Cell and Regeneration Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Raik Grünberg
- Structural Biology and Engineering, Computational Biology Research Center. Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Yingzi Zhang
- Stem Cell and Regeneration Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Chongwei Bi
- Stem Cell and Regeneration Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Francisco J Guzmán-Vega
- Structural Biology and Engineering, Computational Biology Research Center. Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Shuaib
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Rodion V Gorchakov
- Health, Safety and Environment Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Jinna Xu
- Stem Cell and Regeneration Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Tehseen
- Laboratory of DNA Replication and Recombination, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Masateru Takahashi
- Laboratory of DNA Replication and Recombination, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Etsuko Takahashi
- Laboratory of DNA Replication and Recombination, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf Dada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Adeel Nazir Ahmad
- KAUST Health, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Samir M Hamdan
- Laboratory of DNA Replication and Recombination, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Arnab Pain
- Pathogen Genomics Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefan T Arold
- Structural Biology and Engineering, Computational Biology Research Center. Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mo Li
- Stem Cell and Regeneration Laboratory, Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Bioengineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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3
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Fang L, Xu J, Zhao Y, Fan J, Shen J, Liu W, Cao G. The effects of amino acid substitution of spike protein and genomic recombination on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1228128. [PMID: 37560529 PMCID: PMC10409611 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1228128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Over three years' pandemic of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), multiple variants and novel subvariants have emerged successively, outcompeted earlier variants and become predominant. The sequential emergence of variants reflects the evolutionary process of mutation-selection-adaption of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Amino acid substitution/insertion/deletion in the spike protein causes altered viral antigenicity, transmissibility, and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. Early in the pandemic, D614G mutation conferred virus with advantages over previous variants and increased transmissibility, and it also laid a conservative background for subsequent substantial mutations. The role of genomic recombination in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 raised increasing concern with the occurrence of novel recombinants such as Deltacron, XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9.1, and XBB.1.16 in the late phase of pandemic. Co-circulation of different variants and co-infection in immunocompromised patients accelerate the emergence of recombinants. Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 genomic variations, particularly spike protein mutation and recombination, is essential to identify ongoing changes in the viral genome and antigenic epitopes and thus leads to the development of new vaccine strategies and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letian Fang
- Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Foreign Languages, International Exchange Center for Military Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyan Fan
- Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaying Shen
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Key Laboratory of Biological Defense, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Bioprotection, Shanghai, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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A vigorous study of fractional order mathematical model for SARS-CoV-2 epidemic with Mittag-Leffler kernel. ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL 2023; 71:565-579. [PMCID: PMC10040393 DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2023.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 and its variants have been investigated using a variety of mathematical models. In contrast to multi-strain models, SARS-CoV-2 models exhibit a memory effect that is often overlooked and more realistic. Atangana-Baleanu’s fractional-order operator is discussed in this manuscript for the analysis of the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. We investigated the transmission mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using the non-local Atangana-Baleanu fractional-order approach taking into account the different phases of infection and transmission routes. Using conventional ordinary derivative operators, our first step will be to develop a model for the proposed study. As part of the extension, we will incorporate fractional order derivatives into the model where the used operator is the fractional order operator of order Ψ1. Additionally, some basic aspects of the proposed model are examined in addition to calculating the reproduction number and determining the possible equilibrium. Stability analysis of the model is conducted to determine the necessary equilibrium conditions as they are also required in developing a numerical setup. Utilizing the theory of nonlinear functional analysis, for the model, Ulam-Hyers’ stability is established. We present a numerical scheme based on Newton’s polynomial in order to set up an iterative algorithm for the proposed ABC system. The application of this scheme to a variety of values of Φ1 indicates that there is a relationship between infection dynamics and the derivative’s order. We present further simulations which demonstrate the importance and cruciality of different parameters, as well as their effect on the dynamics and administer the disease. Furthermore, this study will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying contagious diseases, thus supporting the development of policies to control them.
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5
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Modeling and numerical analysis of a fractional order model for dual variants of SARS-CoV-2 ☆. ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL 2023; 65:427-442. [PMCID: PMC9581800 DOI: 10.1016/j.aej.2022.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This paper considers the novel fractional-order operator developed by Atangana-Baleanu for transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. Assuming the importance of the non-local Atangana-Baleanu fractional-order approach, the transmission mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 has been investigated while taking into account different phases of infection and various transmission routes of the disease. To conduct the proposed study, first of all, we shall formulate the model by using the classical operator of ordinary derivatives. We utilize the fractional order derivative and the model will be extended to a model containing fractional order derivatives. The operator being used is the fractional differential operator and has fractional order Φ1. The model is analyzed further and some basic aspects of the model are investigated besides calculating the basic reproduction number and the possible equilibria of the proposed model. The equilibria of the model are examined for stability purposes and necessary conditions for stability are obtained. Stability is also necessary in terms of numerical setup. The theory of non-linear functional analysis is employed and Ulam-Hyers’s stability of the model is presented. The approach of newton’s polynomial is considered and a new numerical scheme is developed which helped in presenting an iterative process for the proposed ABC system. Based on this scheme, sample curves are obtained for various values of Φ1 and a pattern is derived between the dynamics of the infection and the order of the derivative. Further simulations are presented which show the cruciality and importance of various parameters and the impact of such parameters on the dynamics and control of the disease is presented. The findings of this study will also provide strong conceptual insights into the mechanisms of contagious diseases, assisting global professionals in developing control policies.
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Omame A, Abbas M, Din A. Global asymptotic stability, extinction and ergodic stationary distribution in a stochastic model for dual variants of SARS-CoV-2. MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTERS IN SIMULATION 2023; 204:302-336. [PMID: 36060108 PMCID: PMC9422832 DOI: 10.1016/j.matcom.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Several mathematical models have been developed to investigate the dynamics SARS-CoV-2 and its different variants. Most of the multi-strain SARS-CoV-2 models do not capture an important and more realistic feature of such models known as randomness. As the dynamical behavior of most epidemics, especially SARS-CoV-2, is unarguably influenced by several random factors, it is appropriate to consider a stochastic vaccination co-infection model for two strains of SARS-CoV-2. In this work, a new stochastic model for two variants of SARS-CoV-2 is presented. The conditions of existence and the uniqueness of a unique global solution of the stochastic model are derived. Constructing an appropriate Lyapunov function, the conditions for the stochastic system to fluctuate around endemic equilibrium of the deterministic system are derived. Stationary distribution and ergodicity for the new co-infection model are also studied. Numerical simulations are carried out to validate theoretical results. It is observed that when the white noise intensities are larger than certain thresholds and the associated stochastic reproduction numbers are less than unity, both strains die out and go into extinction with unit probability. More-over, it is observed that, for weak white noise intensities, the solution of the stochastic system fluctuates around the endemic equilibrium (EE) of the deterministic model. Frequency distributions are also studied to show random fluctuations due to stochastic white noise intensities. The results presented herein also reveal the impact of vaccination in reducing the co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants within a given population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Omame
- Department of Mathematics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
- Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences, Government College University Katchery Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Mujahid Abbas
- Department of Mathematics, Government College University Katchery Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
| | - Anwarud Din
- Department of Mathematics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China
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7
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Trigger SA, Ignatov AM. Strain-stream model of epidemic spread in application to COVID-19. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. B 2022; 95:194. [PMID: 36467616 PMCID: PMC9708149 DOI: 10.1140/epjb/s10051-022-00457-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The recently developed model of the epidemic spread of two virus strains in a closed population is generalized to the situation typical for the couple of strains delta and omicron, when there is a high probability of omicron infection soon enough after recovering from delta infection. This model can be considered as a kind of combination of SIR and SIS models for the case of competition of two strains of the same virus with different contagiousness in a population. The obtained equations and results can be directly implemented for practical calculations of the replacement of strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A comparison between the estimated replacement time and the corresponding statistics shows reasonable agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Trigger
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, 13/19, Izhorskaia Str., Moscow, 125412 Russia
- Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - A. M. Ignatov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilova St., Moscow, 119991 Russia
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8
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Silva TDS, Salvato RS, Gregianini TS, Gomes IA, Pereira EC, de Oliveira E, de Menezes AL, Barcellos RB, Godinho FM, Riediger I, Debur MDC, de Oliveira CM, Ribeiro-Rodrigues R, Miyajima F, Dias FS, Abbud A, do Monte-Neto R, Calzavara-Silva CE, Siqueira MM, Wallau GL, Resende PC, Fernandes GDR, Alves P. Molecular characterization of a new SARS-CoV-2 recombinant cluster XAG identified in Brazil. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1008600. [PMID: 36250091 PMCID: PMC9554242 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1008600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombination events have been described in the Coronaviridae family. Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a variable degree of selection pressure has acted upon the virus, generating new strains with increased fitness in terms of viral transmission and antibody scape. Most of the SC2 variants of concern (VOC) detected so far carry a combination of key amino acid changes and indels. Recombination may also reshuffle existing genetic profiles of distinct strains, potentially giving origin to recombinant strains with altered phenotypes. However, co-infection and recombination events are challenging to detect and require in-depth curation of assembled genomes and sequencing reds. Here, we present the molecular characterization of a new SARS-CoV-2 recombinant between BA.1.1 and BA.2.23 Omicron lineages identified in Brazil. We characterized four mutations that had not been previously described in any of the recombinants already identified worldwide and described the likely breaking points. Moreover, through phylogenetic analysis, we showed that the newly named XAG lineage groups in a highly supported monophyletic clade confirmed its common evolutionary history from parental Omicron lineages and other recombinants already described. These observations were only possible thanks to the joint effort of bioinformatics tools auxiliary in genomic surveillance and the manual curation of experienced personnel, demonstrating the importance of genetic, and bioinformatic knowledge in genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Eneida de Oliveira
- Laboratório Municipal de Referência, Setor de Biologia Molecular, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - André Luiz de Menezes
- Laboratório Municipal de Referência, Setor de Biologia Molecular, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Irina Riediger
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gabriel Luz Wallau
- Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Pedro Alves
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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SARS-CoV-2 dual infection with Delta and Omicron variants in an immunocompetent host: a case report. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 124:41-44. [PMID: 36075374 PMCID: PMC9444311 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the high number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, only a few cases of dual infection have been reported. Here, we describe a case of COVID-19 caused simultaneously by Delta and Omicron variants in an immunocompetent individual during the early emergence of Omicron variant. A 73-year-old man was hospitalized with suspected acute coronary syndrome and a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was received during routine testing at the hospital. He experienced mild symptoms of COVID-19 and was discharged on the ninth day. We sequenced the SARS-CoV-2 whole genome from the sample obtained on admission. The viral sequence was classified as PANGO lineage B.1.1.10 by the Galaxy pipeline; however, on detailed manual analysis, we identified the presence of both Delta and Omicron variants. After excluding the possibilities of a recombinant virus or contamination in the sample, we confirmed the presence of dual infection in this patient. We highlight that dual infections with SARS-CoV-2 may be more common than expected but are difficult to detect during the waves of one dominant variant.
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10
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Seid AG, Yirko T, Sayeed S, Plipat N. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant 24 Days after Non-Omicron Infection, Pennsylvania, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1911-1913. [PMID: 35914519 PMCID: PMC9423919 DOI: 10.3201/eid2809.220539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A 42-year-old man, with up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, experienced symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in December 2021. Mutation tests suggested a non-Omicron variant. After his recovery, and 24 days after the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test, he had onset of symptomatic infection with the BA.1.1 (Omicron) variant, which was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing.
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11
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Popovic M, Popovic M. Strain Wars: Competitive interactions between SARS-CoV-2 strains are explained by Gibbs energy of antigen-receptor binding. MICROBIAL RISK ANALYSIS 2022; 21:100202. [PMID: 35155724 PMCID: PMC8816792 DOI: 10.1016/j.mran.2022.100202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has mutated several times into new strains, with an increased infectivity. Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 strains depends on binding affinity of the virus to its host cell receptor. In this paper, we quantified the binding affinity using Gibbs energy of binding and analyzed the competition between SARS-CoV-2 strains as an interference phenomenon. Gibbs energies of binding were calculated for several SARS-SoV-2 strains, including Hu-1 (wild type), B.1.1.7 (alpha), B.1.351 (beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.36 and B.1.617 (Delta). The least negative Gibbs energy of binding is that of Hu-1 strain, -37.97 kJ/mol. On the other hand, the most negative Gibbs energy of binding is that of the Delta strain, -49.50 kJ/mol. We used the more negative Gibbs energy of binding to explain the increased infectivity of newer SARS-CoV-2 strains compared to the wild type. Gibbs energies of binding was found to decrease chronologically, with appearance of new strains. The ratio of Gibbs energies of binding of mutated strains and wild type was used to define a susceptibility coefficient, which is an indicator of viral interference, where a virus can prevent or partially inhibit infection with another virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Popovic
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Marta Popovic
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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12
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Vatteroni ML, Capria AL, Spezia PG, Frateschi S, Pistello M. Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants in a non-vaccinated woman. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2022; 3:e478. [PMID: 35623374 PMCID: PMC9129255 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(22)00119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pietro Giorgio Spezia
- Virology Unit, University of Pisa, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Retrovirus Centre and Virology Section, University of Pisa, I-56127 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Pistello
- Virology Unit, University of Pisa, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Retrovirus Centre and Virology Section, University of Pisa, I-56127 Pisa, Italy.
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13
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Combes P, Bisseux M, Bal A, Marin P, Latour J, Archimbaud C, Brebion A, Chabrolles H, Regagnon C, Lafolie J, Destras G, Simon B, Izopet J, Josset L, Henquell C, Mirand A. Evidence of co-infections during Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants co-circulation through prospective screening and sequencing. Clin Microbiol Infect 2022; 28:1503.e5-1503.e8. [PMID: 35792280 PMCID: PMC9250411 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To describe Delta/Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants co-infection detection and confirmation during the fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemics in France in 7 immunocompetent and epidemiologically unrelated patients. Methods Since December 2021, the surveillance of Delta/Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) circulation was performed through prospective screening of positive-samples using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) PCR assays targeting SARS-CoV-2 S-gene mutations K417N (Omicron specific) and L452R (Delta specific). Samples showing unexpected mutational profiles were further submitted to whole genome sequencing (WGS) using three different primer sets. Results Between weeks 49-2021 and 02-2022, SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected in 3831 respiratory samples, of which 3237 (84.5%) were screened for VOC specific SNPs. Unexpected mutation profiles suggesting a dual Delta/Omicron population were observed in 7 nasopharyngeal samples (0.2%). These co-infections were confirmed by WGS. For 2 patients, the sequence analyses of longitudinal samples collected 7 to 11 days apart showed that Delta or Omicron can outcompete the other variant during dual infection. Additionally, for one of these samples, a recombination event between Delta and Omicron was detected. Conclusions This work demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 Delta/Omicron co-infections are not rare in high virus co-circulation periods. Moreover, co-infections can further lead to genetic recombination which may generate new chimeric variants with unpredictable epidemic or pathogenic properties that could represent a serious health threat.
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14
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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 intra-host recombination during superinfection with Alpha and Epsilon variants in New York City. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3645. [PMID: 35752633 PMCID: PMC9233664 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31247-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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.
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15
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Focosi D, Maggi F. Recombination in Coronaviruses, with a Focus on SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:1239. [PMID: 35746710 PMCID: PMC9228924 DOI: 10.3390/v14061239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombination is a common evolutionary tool for RNA viruses, and coronaviruses are no exception. We review here the evidence for recombination in SARS-CoV-2 and reconcile nomenclature for recombinants, discuss their origin and fitness, and speculate how recombinants could make a difference in the future of the COVID-19 pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
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16
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Rockett RJ, Draper J, Gall M, Sim EM, Arnott A, Agius JE, Johnson-Mackinnon J, Fong W, Martinez E, Drew AP, Lee C, Ngo C, Ramsperger M, Ginn AN, Wang Q, Fennell M, Ko D, Hueston L, Kairaitis L, Holmes EC, O'Sullivan MN, Chen SCA, Kok J, Dwyer DE, Sintchenko V. Co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants revealed by genomic surveillance. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2745. [PMID: 35585202 PMCID: PMC9117272 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30518-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-infections with different variants of SARS-CoV-2 are a key precursor to recombination events that are likely to drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Rapid identification of such co-infections is required to determine their frequency in the community, particularly in populations at-risk of severe COVID-19, which have already been identified as incubators for punctuated evolutionary events. However, limited data and tools are currently available to detect and characterise the SARS-CoV-2 co-infections associated with recognised variants of concern. Here we describe co-infection with the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Omicron and Delta in two epidemiologically unrelated adult patients with chronic kidney disease requiring maintenance haemodialysis. Both variants were co-circulating in the community at the time of detection. Genomic surveillance based on amplicon- and probe-based sequencing using short- and long-read technologies identified and quantified subpopulations of Delta and Omicron viruses in respiratory samples. These findings highlight the importance of integrated genomic surveillance in vulnerable populations and provide diagnostic pathways to recognise SARS-CoV-2 co-infection using genomic data. Here, using genomic approaches, Rockett et al. identify Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 co-infections in two adults, highlighting the usefulness of genomic surveillance for the timely recognition of co-infections in situations when different variants of the virus are circulating in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Rockett
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Jenny Draper
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Mailie Gall
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Eby M Sim
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Alicia Arnott
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica E Agius
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Johnson-Mackinnon
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Winkie Fong
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Elena Martinez
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander P Drew
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Clement Lee
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine Ngo
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Marc Ramsperger
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew N Ginn
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Qinning Wang
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Fennell
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Danny Ko
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Linda Hueston
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Lukas Kairaitis
- Renal Services Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew N O'Sullivan
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon C-A Chen
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Jen Kok
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Dominic E Dwyer
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Vitali Sintchenko
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia. .,Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead, NSW, Australia. .,School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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17
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Francisco Junior RDS, de Almeida LGP, Lamarca AP, Cavalcante L, Martins Y, Gerber AL, Guimarães APDC, Salviano RB, Dos Santos FL, de Oliveira TH, de Souza IV, de Carvalho EM, Ribeiro MS, Carvalho S, da Silva FD, Garcia MHDO, de Souza LM, da Silva CG, Ribeiro CLP, Cavalcanti AC, de Mello CMB, Tanuri A, Vasconcelos ATR. Emergence of Within-Host SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Genome After Coinfection by Gamma and Delta Variants: A Case Report. Front Public Health 2022; 10:849978. [PMID: 35273945 PMCID: PMC8902039 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.849978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we report the first case of intra-host SARS-CoV-2 recombination during a coinfection by the variants of concern (VOC) AY.33 (Delta) and P.1 (Gamma) supported by sequencing reads harboring a mosaic of lineage-defining mutations. By using next-generation sequencing reads intersecting regions that simultaneously overlap lineage-defining mutations from Gamma and Delta, we were able to identify a total of six recombinant regions across the SARS-CoV-2 genome within a sample. Four of them mapped in the spike gene and two in the nucleocapsid gene. We detected mosaic reads harboring a combination of lineage-defining mutations from each VOC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intra-host RNA-RNA recombination between two lineages of SARS-CoV-2, which can represent a threat to public health management during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the possibility of the emergence of viruses with recombinant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luiz G P de Almeida
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Alessandra P Lamarca
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Liliane Cavalcante
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Yasmmin Martins
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Alexandra L Gerber
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula de C Guimarães
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Barbosa Salviano
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Leitão Dos Santos
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Thiago Henrique de Oliveira
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Carvalho
- Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amilcar Tanuri
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Tereza R Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, Brazil
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18
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Ignatieva A, Hein J, Jenkins PA. Ongoing Recombination in SARS-CoV-2 Revealed Through Genealogical Reconstruction. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6519867. [PMID: 35106601 PMCID: PMC8841603 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary process of genetic recombination has the potential to rapidly change the properties of a viral pathogen, and its presence is a crucial factor to consider in the development of treatments and vaccines. It can also significantly affect the results of phylogenetic analyses and the inference of evolutionary rates. The detection of recombination from samples of sequencing data is a very challenging problem, and is further complicated for SARS-CoV-2 by its relatively slow accumulation of genetic diversity. The extent to which recombination is ongoing for SARS-CoV-2 is not yet resolved. To address this, we use a parsimony-based method to reconstruct possible genealogical histories for samples of SARS-CoV-2 sequences, which enables us to pinpoint specific recombination events that could have generated the data. We propose a statistical framework for disentangling the effects of recurrent mutation from recombination in the history of a sample, and hence provide a way of estimating the probability that ongoing recombination is present. We apply this to samples of sequencing data collected in England and South Africa, and find evidence of ongoing recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jotun Hein
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Alan Turing Institute, British Library, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A Jenkins
- Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author: E-mail:
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19
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Liao H, Cai D, Sun Y. VirStrain: a strain identification tool for RNA viruses. Genome Biol 2022; 23:38. [PMID: 35101081 PMCID: PMC8801933 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02609-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses change constantly during replication, leading to high intra-species diversity. Although many changes are neutral or deleterious, some can confer on the virus different biological properties such as better adaptability. In addition, viral genotypes often have associated metadata, such as host residence, which can help with inferring viral transmission during pandemics. Thus, subspecies analysis can provide important insights into virus characterization. Here, we present VirStrain, a tool taking short reads as input with viral strain composition as output. We rigorously test VirStrain on multiple simulated and real virus sequencing datasets. VirStrain outperforms the state-of-the-art tools in both sensitivity and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herui Liao
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China
| | - Dehan Cai
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China
| | - Yanni Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, China.
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