Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 5, 2021

Emergence and Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages B.1.1.7 and P.1 in Italy

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  • Analysis of 6,515 SARS-CoV-2 sequences sampled between January 2020 to March 2021 in Italy found that the previously dominant B.1.177 variant was replaced by the B.1.1.7 variant in January 2021. By the end of the sampling period, B.1.1.7 sequences comprised 34% of all sequences whereas B.1.177 comprised only 24%. Analysis of B.1.1.7 sequences indicated multiple introductions into Italy, and also identified numerous Italian-specific clades indicative of extended transmission chains. Notably the P.1 variant, first described in Brazil and first detected in Italy in January, was detected in increasing proportions.

Di Giallonardo et al. (Apr 29, 2021). Emergence and Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages B.1.1.7 and P.1 in Italy. Viruses. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13050794