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Rasmussen M, Møller FT, Gunalan V, Baig S, Bennedbæk M, Christiansen LE, Cohen AS, Ellegaard K, Fomsgaard A, Franck KT, Larsen NB, Larsen TG, Lassaunière R, Polacek C, Qvesel AG, Sieber RN, Rasmussen LD, Stegger M, Spiess K, Tang MHE, Vestergaard LS, Andersen TE, Hoegh SV, Pedersen RM, Skov MN, Steinke K, Sydenham TV, Hoppe M, Nielsen L, Krause TG, Ullum H, Jokelainen P. First cases of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 in Denmark, 2023. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300460. [PMID: 37676147 PMCID: PMC10486197 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.36.2300460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe 10 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant BA.2.86 detected in Denmark, including molecular characteristics and results from wastewater surveillance that indicate that the variant is circulating in the country at a low level. This new variant with many spike gene mutations was classified as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization on 17 August 2023. Further global monitoring of COVID-19, BA.2.86 and other SARS-CoV-2 variants is highly warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Rasmussen
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
| | - Frederik Trier Møller
- These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vithiagaran Gunalan
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sharmin Baig
- Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Bennedbæk
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kirsten Ellegaard
- Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Fomsgaard
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristina Træholt Franck
- Virus Surveillance and Research Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Tine Graakjær Larsen
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ria Lassaunière
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotta Polacek
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amanda Gammelby Qvesel
- Virus Surveillance and Research Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Raphael Niklaus Sieber
- Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Dam Rasmussen
- Virus Surveillance and Research Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc Stegger
- Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Katja Spiess
- Virus Research and Development Laboratory, Virus & Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Man-Hung Eric Tang
- Sequencing and Bioinformatics, Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas Emil Andersen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Silje Vermedal Hoegh
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rune Micha Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne Nielsine Skov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kat Steinke
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thomas Vognbjerg Sydenham
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for Clinical Microbiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Hoppe
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Lene Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Tyra Grove Krause
- Epidemiological Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Pikka Jokelainen
- Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Picard G, Fournier L, Maisa A, Grolhier C, Chent S, Huchet-Kervalla C, Sudour J, Pretet M, Josset L, Behillil S, Schaeffer J. Emergence, spread and characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.640 circulating in France, October 2021 to February 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200671. [PMID: 37261732 PMCID: PMC10236926 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.22.2200671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSuccessive epidemic waves of COVID-19 illustrated the potential of SARS-CoV-2 variants to reshape the pandemic. Detecting and characterising emerging variants is essential to evaluate their public health impact and guide implementation of adapted control measures.AimTo describe the detection of emerging variant, B.1.640, in France through genomic surveillance and present investigations performed to inform public health decisions.MethodsIdentification and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.640 was achieved through the French genomic surveillance system, producing 1,009 sequences. Additional investigation of 272 B.1.640-infected cases was performed between October 2021 and January 2022 using a standardised questionnaire and comparing with Omicron variant-infected cases.ResultsB.1.640 was identified in early October 2021 in a school cluster in Bretagne, later spreading throughout France. B.1.640 was detected at low levels at the end of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant's dominance and progressively disappeared after the emergence of the Omicron (BA.1) variant. A high proportion of investigated B.1.640 cases were children aged under 14 (14%) and people over 60 (27%) years, because of large clusters in these age groups. B.1.640 cases reported previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (4%), anosmia (32%) and ageusia (34%), consistent with data on pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants. Eight percent of investigated B.1.640 cases were hospitalised, with an overrepresentation of individuals aged over 60 years and with risk factors.ConclusionEven though B.1.640 did not outcompete the Delta variant, its importation and continuous low-level spread raised concerns regarding its public health impact. The investigations informed public health decisions during the time that B.1.640 was circulating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenola Picard
- Bretagne Regional Office, Direction des Régions (DiRe), Santé publique France, Rennes, France
| | - Lucie Fournier
- Direction des Maladies Infectieuses (DMI), Santé publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Anna Maisa
- Direction des Maladies Infectieuses (DMI), Santé publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Claire Grolhier
- Department of Virology, INSERM, IRSET UMR-S 1085, Pontchaillou University Hospital, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Souhaila Chent
- Hauts-de-France Regional Office, Direction des Régions (DiRe), Santé publique France, Lille, France
| | - Caroline Huchet-Kervalla
- Pays-de-la-Loire Regional Office, Direction des Régions (DiRe), Santé publique France, Nantes, France
| | - Jeanne Sudour
- Direction DATA, Santé publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Maël Pretet
- Direction DATA, Santé publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Laurence Josset
- Centre National de Référence Virus des Infections Respiratoires (dont la grippe) and Plateforme GENEPII Laboratoire de Virologie des HCL, Hopital de la Croix Rousse, Lyon, France
- Laboratoire Virpath, CIRI, Inserm U1111, CNRS UMR 5308, ENS de Lyon, UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Sylvie Behillil
- Unité de Génétique Moléculaire des Virus à ARN - UMR3569 CNRS, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Centre National de Référence Virus des Infections Respiratoires (dont la grippe), Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Justine Schaeffer
- Direction des Maladies Infectieuses (DMI), Santé publique France, Saint-Maurice, France
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