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Grandi N, Cusano R, Piras G, Fiamma M, Monne MI, Fancello T, Milia J, Orrù S, Scognamiglio S, Serra C, Mameli G, Uzzau S, Orrù G, Palmas AD, Rubino S, Tramontano E. The impact of insularity on SARS-CoV-2 diffusion: Recapitulating three years of COVID-19 pandemic in the island of Sardinia. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:102496. [PMID: 38991412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Italy has been the first European Country dealing with SARS-CoV-2, whose diffusion on the territory has not been homogeneous. Among Italian regions, Sardinia represented one of the lowest incidence areas, likely due to its insular nature. Despite this, the impact of insularity on SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity has not been comprehensively described. METHODS In the present study, we performed the high throughput sequencing of 888 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected in Sardinia during the first 23 months of pandemics. In addition, 1439 high-coverage SARS-CoV-2 genomes circulating in Sardinia along three years (December 2019 - January 2023) were downloaded from GISAID, for a total of 2327 viral sequences that were characterized in terms of phylogeny and genomic diversity. RESULTS Overall, COVID-19 pandemic in Sardinia showed substantial differences with respect to the national panorama, with additional peaks of infections and uncommon lineages that reflects the national and regional policies of re-opening and the subsequent touristic arrivals. Sardinia has been interested by the circulation of at least 87 SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including some that were poorly represented at national and European level, likely linked to multiple importation events. The relative frequency of Sardinian SARS-CoV-2 lineages has been compared to other Mediterranean Islands, revealing a unique composition. CONCLUSIONS The genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in Sardinia has been shaped by a complex interplay of insular geography, low population density, and touristic arrivals, leading on the one side to the importation of lineages remaining rare at the national level, and resulting on the other side in the delayed entry of otherwise common variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Lab. of Molecular Virology, Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Cusano
- CRS4 - Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia, Science and Technology Park Polaris, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Jessica Milia
- CRS4 - Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia, Science and Technology Park Polaris, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sandro Orrù
- Dept. of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sante Scognamiglio
- Lab. of Molecular Virology, Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | - Caterina Serra
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy; S.C. Microbiologia e Virologia, AOU Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mameli
- ASL Nuoro, Ospedale San Francesco, Italy; ASL Sassari Ospedale Civile Alghero, Italy
| | - Sergio Uzzau
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy; S.C. Microbiologia e Virologia, AOU Sassari, Italy
| | - Germano Orrù
- Dept. of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Rubino
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy; S.C. Microbiologia e Virologia, AOU Sassari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Lab. of Molecular Virology, Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
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Rocchigiani AM, Ferretti L, Ledda A, Di Nardo A, Floris M, Bonelli P, Loi F, Idda ML, Angioi PP, Zinellu S, Fiori MS, Bechere R, Capitta P, Coccollone A, Coradduzza E, Dettori MA, Fattaccio MC, Gallisai E, Maestrale C, Manunta D, Pedditzi A, Piredda I, Palmas B, Salza S, Sechi AM, Tanda B, Madrau MP, Sanna ML, Cherchi S, Ponti N, Masala G, Sirica R, Evangelista E, Oggiano A, Puggioni G, Ligios C, Dei Giudici S. Origin, Genetic Variation and Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Strains Circulating in Sardinia (Italy) during the First and Second COVID-19 Epidemic Waves. Viruses 2023; 15:277. [PMID: 36851491 PMCID: PMC9961045 DOI: 10.3390/v15020277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how geography and human mobility shape the patterns and spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 is key to control future epidemics. An interesting example is provided by the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Europe, which was facilitated by the intense movement of tourists around the Mediterranean coast in summer 2020. The Italian island of Sardinia is a major tourist destination and is widely believed to be the origin of the second Italian wave. In this study, we characterize the genetic variation among SARS-CoV-2 strains circulating in northern Sardinia during the first and second Italian waves using both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies Next Generation Sequencing methods. Most viruses were placed into a single clade, implying that despite substantial virus inflow, most outbreaks did not spread widely. The second epidemic wave on the island was actually driven by local transmission of a single B.1.177 subclade. Phylogeographic analyses further suggest that those viral strains circulating on the island were not a relevant source for the second epidemic wave in Italy. This result, however, does not rule out the possibility of intense mixing and transmission of the virus among tourists as a major contributor to the second Italian wave.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Ferretti
- Pandemic Sciences Institute and Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department for Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK
| | - Alice Ledda
- UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | | | - Matteo Floris
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Piero Bonelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Federica Loi
- Osservatorio Epidemiologico Veterinario Regionale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 09125 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Idda
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Angioi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Susanna Zinellu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Bechere
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Paola Capitta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Elena Gallisai
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Caterina Maestrale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Daniela Manunta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Aureliana Pedditzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Ivana Piredda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Bruna Palmas
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Sara Salza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Sechi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Barbara Tanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Madrau
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Sanna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Simonetta Cherchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Ponti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Masala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Sirica
- Ames Polydiagnostic Group Center SRL, 80013 Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Annalisa Oggiano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Ciriaco Ligios
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Silvia Dei Giudici
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Katowa B, Kalonda A, Mubemba B, Matoba J, Shempela DM, Sikalima J, Kabungo B, Changula K, Chitanga S, Kasonde M, Kapona O, Kapata N, Musonda K, Monze M, Tembo J, Bates M, Zumla A, Sutcliffe CG, Kajihara M, Yamagishi J, Takada A, Sawa H, Chilengi R, Mukonka V, Muleya W, Simulundu E. Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Southern Province of Zambia: Detection and Characterization of Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron Variants of Concern. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091865. [PMID: 36146671 PMCID: PMC9504048 DOI: 10.3390/v14091865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) have significantly impacted the global epidemiology of the pandemic. From December 2020 to April 2022, we conducted genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the Southern Province of Zambia, a region that shares international borders with Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe and is a major tourist destination. Genetic analysis of 40 SARS-CoV-2 whole genomes revealed the circulation of Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Delta (AY.116), and multiple Omicron subvariants with the BA.1 subvariant being predominant. Whereas Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants were associated with the second, third, and fourth pandemic waves, respectively, the Alpha variant was not associated with any wave in the country. Phylogenetic analysis showed evidence of local transmission and possible multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in Zambia from different European and African countries. Across the 40 genomes analysed, a total of 292 mutations were observed, including 182 missense mutations, 66 synonymous mutations, 23 deletions, 9 insertions, 1 stop codon, and 11 mutations in the non-coding region. This study stresses the need for the continued monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Zambia, particularly in strategically positioned regions such as the Southern Province which could be at increased risk of introduction of novel VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Katowa
- Macha Research Trust, Choma 20100, Zambia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Annie Kalonda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Benjamin Mubemba
- Department of Wildlife Sciences, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe 50100, Zambia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola 50100, Zambia
| | | | | | - Jay Sikalima
- Churches Health Association of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Boniface Kabungo
- Southern Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Health, Choma 20100, Zambia
| | - Katendi Changula
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Simbarashe Chitanga
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Department of Preclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek Private Bag 13301, Namibia
- School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Mpanga Kasonde
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Otridah Kapona
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Nathan Kapata
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Kunda Musonda
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Mwaka Monze
- Virology Laboratory, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - John Tembo
- HerpeZ Infection Research and Training, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Matthew Bates
- HerpeZ Infection Research and Training, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Centre for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Catherine G. Sutcliffe
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Masahiro Kajihara
- Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Junya Yamagishi
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Ayato Takada
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Division of Global Epidemiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- International Collaboration Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Sawa
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases of Humans and Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Division of Collaboration and Education, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Division of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Division of International Research Promotion, Hokkaido University International Institute for Zoonosis Control, N20 W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0020, Japan
- Global Virus Network, 725 W Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Roma Chilengi
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Republic of Zambia State House, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Victor Mukonka
- Zambia National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Walter Muleya
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Edgar Simulundu
- Macha Research Trust, Choma 20100, Zambia
- Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Correspondence:
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4
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Ortega MA, García-Montero C, Fraile-Martinez O, Colet P, Baizhaxynova A, Mukhtarova K, Alvarez-Mon M, Kanatova K, Asúnsolo A, Sarría-Santamera A. Recapping the Features of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Main Variants: Status and Future Paths. J Pers Med 2022; 12:995. [PMID: 35743779 PMCID: PMC9225183 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the two years that we have been experiencing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, our challenges have been the race to develop vaccines and the difficulties in fighting against new variants due to the rapid ability of the virus to evolve. In this sense, different organizations have identified and classified the different variants that have been emerging, distinguishing between variants of concern (VOC), variants of interest (VOI), or variants under monitoring (VUM). The following review aims to describe the latest updates focusing on VOC and already de-escalated variants, as well as to describe the impact these have had on the global situation. Understanding the intrinsic properties of SARS-CoV-2 and its interaction with the immune system and vaccination is essential to make out the underlying mechanisms that have led to the appearance of these variants, helping to determine the next steps for better public management of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (M.A.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (M.A.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martinez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (M.A.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paolo Colet
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (P.C.); (A.B.); (K.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Ardak Baizhaxynova
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (P.C.); (A.B.); (K.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Kymbat Mukhtarova
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (P.C.); (A.B.); (K.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Melchor Alvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain; (M.A.O.); (C.G.-M.); (O.F.-M.); (M.A.-M.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, Oncology Service an Internal Medicine (CIBEREHD), University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, 28806 Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Kaznagul Kanatova
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (P.C.); (A.B.); (K.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Angel Asúnsolo
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Medical and Social Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Antonio Sarría-Santamera
- Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (P.C.); (A.B.); (K.M.); (K.K.)
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