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Emergent Omicron BR.2.1 sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 in New South Wales, Australia: a subvariant with high fitness but without increased disease severity.
Howard-Jones, Annaleise R; Arnott, Alicia; Draper, Jenny; Gall, Mailie; Ellis, Sally; Marris, Kelsi; Selvey, Christine; Basile, Kerri; Dwyer, Dominic E; Sintchenko, Vitali; Kok, Jen.
  • Howard-Jones AR; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
  • Arnott A; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology-Public Health, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia.
  • Draper J; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
  • Gall M; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
  • Ellis S; New South Wales Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia.
  • Marris K; New South Wales Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia.
  • Selvey C; New South Wales Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia.
  • Basile K; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
  • Dwyer DE; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; C
  • Sintchenko V; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; C
  • Kok J; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, NSW Health Pathology-Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; C
Int J Infect Dis ; 130: 38-41, 2023 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2263298
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the epidemiology and impact of Omicron BR.2.1, an emergent SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 sublineage displaying high fitness compared to other cocirculating subvariants in New South Wales, Australia.

METHODS:

From September 01 to November 26, 2022, 4971 SARS-CoV-2 consensus genomes from unique patients were generated, and correlated with international travel and reinfection history, and admission to the intensive care unit.

RESULTS:

BR.2.1 became the predominant variant by late November, and was responsible for a significantly higher proportion of community-acquired cases during the study period (55.1% vs 38.4%, P < 0.001). Reinfections (defined as occurring between 6 and 24 weeks after a prior diagnosis of COVID-19) were significantly higher among BR.2.1 compared to non-BR.2.1 infected persons (17.0% vs 6.0%, P < 0.001). BR.2.1 cases were also significantly younger compared to non-BR.2.1 (median age 48 years (interquartile range [IQR] 32) vs 53 years (IQR 32), P = 0.004). The proportion of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with BR.2.1 was not significantly higher than other subvariants (2.3% vs 2.0%, P = 0.717).

CONCLUSION:

Having emerged locally within New South Wales, BR.2.1 caused a significant number of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections, but with disease severity comparable with other currently circulating lineages. Given its rapid rise in prevalence, BR.2.1 has the potential to become established internationally.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid / Variants Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Oceania Language: English Journal: Int J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ijid.2023.02.019

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Long Covid / Variants Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Oceania Language: English Journal: Int J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ijid.2023.02.019