Genomic Surveillance Enables the Identification of Co-infections With Multiple SARS-CoV-2 Lineages in Equatorial Guinea

• Main Authors: Salome Hosch (Author), Maxmillian Mpina (Author), Elizabeth Nyakurungu (Author), Nelson Silochi Borico (Author), Teodora Mikumu Alogo Obama (Author), Maria Carmen Ovona (Author), Philipp Wagner (Author), Sarah E. Rubin (Author), Ulrich Vickos (Author), Diosdado Vicente Nsue Milang (Author), Mitoha Ondo'o Ayekaba (Author), Wonder P. Phiri (Author), Claudia A. Daubenberger (Author), Tobias Schindler (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 represents an ongoing global public health emergency. Rapid identification of emergence, evolution, and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) would enable timely and tailored responses by public health decision-making bodies. Yet, global disparities in current SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance activities reveal serious geographical gaps. Here, we discuss the experiences and lessons learned from the SARS-CoV-2 monitoring and surveillance program at the Public Health Laboratory on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea that was implemented as part of the national COVID-19 response and monitoring activities. We report how three distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants have dominated the epidemiological situation in Equatorial Guinea since March 2020. In addition, a case of co-infection of two SARS-CoV-2 VOC, Beta and Delta, in a clinically asymptomatic and fully COVID-19 vaccinated man living in Equatorial Guinea is presented. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a person co-infected with Beta and Delta VOC globally. Rapid identification of co-infections is relevant since these might provide an opportunity for genetic recombination resulting in emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 lineages with enhanced transmission or immune evasion potential.

Item Description

2296-2565
10.3389/fpubh.2021.818401