Whole-genome analysis of SARS-CoV-2 samples indicate no tissue specific genetic adaptation of the virus in COVID-19 patients’ upper and lower respiratory tract

Wylezich, Claudia; Schaller, Tina; Claus, Rainer; Hirschbühl, Klaus; Märkl, Bruno; Kling, Elisabeth; Spring, Oliver; Höper, Dirk; Schlegel, Jürgen; Beer, Martin; Dintner, Sebastian

doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115520

Article Fri Aug 20 2021 CC BY 4.0

refereed

published

Whole-genome analysis of SARS-CoV-2 samples indicate no tissue specific genetic adaptation of the virus in COVID-19 patients’ upper and lower respiratory tract

Wylezich, Claudia ; Schaller, Tina; Claus, Rainer; Hirschbühl, Klaus; Märkl, Bruno; Kling, Elisabeth; Spring, Oliver; Höper, Dirk ; Schlegel, Jürgen; Beer, Martin ; Dintner, Sebastian

Sample panels of SARS-CoV-2 cases were retrospectively whole-genome sequenced. In three individuals, samples of upper and lower respiratory tract resulted in identical sequences suggesting virus stability including the spike protein cleavage site. In a fourth case, low-level intra-host genomic evolution and a unique 5-nucleotide deletion was observed.