An Autochthonous Outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 P.1 Variant of Concern in Southern Italy, April 2021.

Daniela Loconsole,Marisa Accogli,Daniele Casulli,Antonio Sanguedolce,Maria Chironna,Anna Sallustio,Francesca Centrone,Maurizio Mario Ferrara

doi:10.3390/tropicalmed6030151

Daniela Loconsole, Marisa Accogli + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed6030151

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Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant of concern (VOC) was first identified in Brazil and is now spreading in European countries. It is characterized by the E484K mutation in the receptor-binding domain, which could contribute to the evasion from neutralizing antibodies. In Italy, this variant was first identified in January 2021. Here, we report an autochthonous outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant infections in southern Italy in subjects who had not travelled to endemic areas or outside the Apulia region. The outbreak involved seven subjects, three of whom had received a COVID-19 vaccine (one had received two doses and two had received one dose). Four patients had a mild clinical presentation. Laboratory investigations of nasopharyngeal swabs revealed that all strains were S-gene target failure-negative and molecular tests revealed they were the P.1 variant. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that five subjects were infected with closely related strains classified as the P.1 lineage. The circulation of VOCs highlights the importance of strictly monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants through genomic surveillance and of investigating local outbreaks. Furthermore, public health measures including social distancing, screening, and quarantine for travelers are key tools to slow down the viral transmission and to contain and mitigate the impact of VOC diffusion, and rapid scaling-up of vaccination is crucial to avoid a possible new epidemic wave.

Highlights

In December 2020, the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC)first reported the spread of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) characterized by multiple spike protein mutations and mutations in other genomic regions, called VOC202012/01—lineage B.1.1.7, in the UK, and labeled Alpha variant by the World HealthOrganization [1,2]
The P.1 variant is characterized by 11 amino acid changes in the spike protein, three of which are located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) [3]
SARS-CoV-2 variant P.1 infection were first reported on 7 January 2021 in Central Italy in travelers returning from Brazil, and this variant was subsequently identified in northern and southern Italy [15]

Summary

Introduction

First reported the spread of a new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) characterized by multiple spike protein mutations and mutations in other genomic regions, called VOC. In May 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta variant emerged in India and has spread all over the world [4]. The P.1 variant is characterized by 11 amino acid changes in the spike protein, three of which are located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) [3] The. P.1 variant was first identified in Japan in four travelers from Brazil, but there was no indication it was associated with more severe disease [8]. We report an autochthonous outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 P.1 variant infections in southern Italy occurred in April 2021, when strict non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI).

12 May 2021

Discussion

Materials and Methods