Genetic and structural analyses reveal the low potential of the SARS‐CoV‐2 EG.5 variant

Author:

Scarpa Fabio1ORCID,Pascarella Stefano2ORCID,Ciccozzi Alessandra3,Giovanetti Marta45ORCID,Azzena Ilenia16,Locci Chiara16,Casu Marco6,Fiori Pier Luigi17ORCID,Quaranta Miriana2,Cella Eleonora8,Sanna Daria1,Ciccozzi Massimo3ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Biomedical Sciences University of Sassari Sassari Italy

2. Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli” Sapienza Università di Roma Rome Italy

3. Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology Università Campus Bio‐Medico di Roma Rome Italy

4. Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment Università Campus Bio‐Medico di Roma Rome Italy

5. Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais Brazil

6. Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Sassari Sassari Italy

7. Azienza Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Sassari Sassari Italy

8. Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences University of Central Florida Orlando Florida USA

Abstract

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 EG.5 lineage is the latest variant under monitoring, and it is generating significant concern due to its recent upward trend in prevalence. Our aim was to gain insights into this emerging lineage and offer insights into its actual level of threat. Both genetic and structural data indicate that this novel variant presently lacks substantial evidence of having a high capacity for widespread transmission. Their viral population sizes expanded following a very mild curve and peaked several months after the earliest detected sample. Currently, neither the viral population size of EG.5 nor that of its first descendant is increasing. The genetic variability appear to be flattened, as evidenced by its relatively modest evolutionary rate (9.05 × 10−4 subs/site/year). As has been observed with numerous prior variants, attributes that might theoretically provide advantages seem to stem from genetic drift, enabling the virus to continually adjust to its host, albeit without a clear association with enhanced dangerousness. These findings further underscore the necessity for ongoing genome‐based monitoring, ensuring preparedness and a well‐documented understanding of the unfolding situation.

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Infectious Diseases,Virology

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