Projects per year
Abstract
Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 64-75.E11 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Cell |
Volume | 184 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 Nov 2020 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- covid-19
- SARS-CoV-2
- evolution
- founder effect
- epidemiology
- spike
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Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluating the effects of SARS-CoV-2 spike mutation D614G on transmissibility and pathogenicity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Putting genomic surveillance at the heart of viral epidemic response.
1/08/17 → 31/07/24
Project: Research