SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Genomic and Phylogenetic Analysis in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Abstract

Omicron variants have been classified as Variants of Concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) ever since they first emerged as a result of a significant mutation in this variant, which showed to have an impact on transmissibility and virulence of the virus, as evidenced by the ongoing modifications in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a global pandemic, the Omicron variant also spread among the Kurdish population. This study aimed to analyze different strains from different cities of the Kurdistan region of Iraq to show the risk of infection and the impact of the various mutations on immune responses and vaccination. A total of 175 nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal specimens were collected at West Erbil Emergency Hospital and confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR. The genomes of the samples were sequenced using the Illumina COVID-Seq Method. The genome analysis was established based on previously published data in the GISAID database and compared to previously detected mutations in the Omicron variants, and that they belong to the BA.1 lineage and include most variations determined in other studies related to transmissibility, high infectivity and immune escape. Most of the mutations were found in the RBD (receptor binding domain), the region related to the escape from humoral immunity. Remarkably, these point mutations (G339D, S371L, S373P, S375F, T547K, D614G, H655Y, N679K and N969K) were also determined in this study, which were unique, and their impact should be addressed more. Overall, the Omicron variants were more contagious than other variants. However, the mortality rate was low, and most infectious cases were asymptomatic. The next step should address the potential of Omicron variants to develop the next-generation COVID-19 vaccine.

Genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 omicron sublineage BA.5.2.1 in Erbil/ Iraq

“…Many gelation and amino acid substitutions were detected in most of the genome; some are novel. The others were also previously seen in strain from Erbil/ Iraq, belonging to the BA.1-sub-lineage (15). The analysis showed that these novel substitutions in the BA.5.2.1 sub-lineage from the Erbil/ Iraq strain were detected, which are T24I, L264F, T327I, P132H (ORF1a), R392C, A509V, I42V (ORF1b), T112I, A27S, V213G, T376F, D405N, R408S, L452R, F486V (spike), S314R, A398V (nucleocapsid).…”

COVID-19 in Baghdad, Iraq: adaptive and emotional findings in a household cluster survey

“…Baghdad, which has 21.3% of Iraq's population, had 28.2 and 21.1% of nationally reported COVID-19 cases and deaths, respectively (5). By the time of this study, Omicron variants were being seen in Iraq (6). Masking, isolation of cases, limiting public exposure, and hospitalization of seriously affected persons in special hospital wards were approaches widely promoted by authorities.…”

Comparison of Antibody Levels Produced by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm Vaccination in COVID-19 Patients in Erbil City-Iraq

“…These spikes latch onto cells in the body by binding to receptors (known as ACE2 receptors) on the cell surface, once attached the virus fuses with the cell and the viral genetic material passes into the cell. Where it is copied creating more viral particles and causing more infection (2)(3)(4). Scientific research has been underway to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways.…”