Phylogenetic clustering of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 genomes reveals the presence of distinct clades of viral haplotypes among states

ABSTRACT

The first Indian cases of COVID-19 caused by SARS-Cov-2 were reported in February 29, 2020 with a history of travel from Wuhan, China and so far above 4500 deaths have been attributed to this pandemic. The objectives of this study were to characterize Indian SARS-CoV-2 genome-wide nucleotide variations, trace ancestries using phylogenetic networks and correlate state-wise distribution of viral haplotypes with differences in mortality rates. A total of 305 whole genome sequences from 19 Indian states were downloaded from GISAID. Sequences were aligned using the ancestral Wuhan-Hu genome sequence (NC_045512.2). A total of 633 variants resulting in 388 amino acid substitutions were identified. Allele frequency spectrum, and nucleotide diversity ({pi}) values revealed the presence of higher proportions of low frequency variants and negative Tajimas D values across ORFs indicated the presence of population expansion. Network analysis highlighted the presence of two major clusters of viral haplotypes, namely, clade G with the SD614G, RdRp P323L variants and a variant of clade L [Lv] having the RdRpA97V variant. Clade G genomes were found to be evolving more rapidly into multiple sub-clusters including clade GH and GR and were also found in higher proportions in three states with highest mortality rates namely, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.