Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutations during Prolonged Infection in Immunocompromised Hosts.
Microbiol Spectr
; 10(3): e0079122, 2022 06 29.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1840554
ABSTRACT
Immunocompromised hosts with prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have been implicated in the emergence of highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants. Spike mutations are of particular concern because the spike protein is a key target for vaccines and therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report the emergence of spike mutations in two immunocompromised patients with persistent SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription (RT)-PCR positivity (>90 days). Whole-genome sequence analysis of samples obtained before and after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment demonstrated the development of partial therapeutic escape mutations and increased intrahost SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity over time. This case series thus adds to the accumulating evidence that immunocompromised hosts with persistent infections are important sources of SARS-CoV-2 genome diversity and, in particular, clinically important spike protein diversity. IMPORTANCE The emergence of clinically important mutations described in this report highlights the need for sustained vigilance and containment measures when managing immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19. Even as jurisdictions across the globe start lifting pandemic control measures, immunocompromised patients with persistent COVID-19 constitute a unique group that requires close genomic monitoring and enhanced infection control measures, to ensure early detection and containment of mutations and variants of therapeutic and public health importance.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
/
Vaccines
/
Variants
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Microbiol Spectr
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Spectrum.00791-22
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS