February 27, 2020

Genomic variations of COVID-19 suggest multiple outbreak sources of transmission

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Virology

• Zhang et al. reported evolution of COVID-19 strains to form two well-supported clades (Type I and II). Type II strains likely evolved from Type I and are more prevalent than Type I among infected patients. Second, by analyzing the three genomic sites distinguishing Type I and Type II strains, they found that the synonymous changes at two of the three sites confer higher protein translational efficiencies in Type II strains than in Type I strains, which explains why Type II strains are more contagious (transmissible) than Type I. These findings could be valuable for the current epidemic prevention and control. 

Zang et al. (Feb 27, 2020). Genomic variations of COVID-19 suggest multiple outbreak sources of transmission. Pre-print downloaded Feb 27 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.25.20027953