Study identifies different lineages of the novel coronavirus in the Amazonas state

Three lineages of the novel coronavirus have been introduced in the state of Amazonas, according to the study run by the Leônidas & Maria Deane Institute (ILMD/Fiocruz Amazônia), which investigated samples from the municipalities of Manacapuru, Autazes, Careiro, and Manaquiri (in the metropolitan region), Santa Isabel do Rio Negro (Rio Negro), Tabatinga, and Santo Antônio do Içá (in the Alto Solimões area), and Manicoré (Madeira river), in addition to the state capital, Manaus.

The investigation was carried out by the team of researcher and vice-director of Research and Innovation of Fiocruz Amazônia, Felipe Naveca. According to Naveca, the existence of the three lineages of SARS-CoV-2, A2, B1.1, and B1, suggests at least three introductions of the virus in the state.

All three lineages were identified in Manaus. In Manacapuru, Manaquiri and Manicoré, the research has found 2 lineages in circulation, and one lineage in the remaining municipalities.

The lineages found in the Amazonas state are ofen found in samples from Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

37 genomes sequenced 

The molecular epidemiology study of the SARS-CoV-2 in the Amazonas state has sequenced 37 genomes of the novel coronavirus. Felipe Naveca warns of the importance of these data, especially considering the scarcity of information on the viruses that cause respiratory syndrome in the population of the state.

Last March, Naveca concluded the first SARS-CoV-2 genome of the north of Brazil. Thirty-six more sequences have just been concluded.

Sequencing the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 samples helps develop vaccines and drugs against the virus. The genomes identified in Amazonas can now be compared to others circulating in Brazil and abroad.

The study is supported by FAPEAM, the Foundation in Support of Research in the State of Amazonas, by means of the Genomic Network in Health in the State of Amazonas (Regesam).