SARS-CoV-۲ Variants Screening in Burkina Faso

Introduction: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the data on the mutations and variants of circulating SARS-CoV-۲ is limited. This study aimed to screen specific mutations and variants of SARS-CoV-۲ circulating in Burkina Faso. Methods: This study included symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals who underwent diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-۲ by RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs from ۷ December ۲۰۲۱ to ۱۲ January ۲۰۲۲. Samples from individuals with a Ct value ≤ ۳۳ were selected for the variants-specific mutation screening. The screening was performed using two kits, “SNPsig® SARS-COV-۲ (Escape PLEX)" and "SNPsig® VariPLEX™ (COVID-۱۹) Real-Time PCR Assay". Results: SARS-CoV-۲ prevalence was ۱۸.۹% (۳۳۲/۱۷۵۸). A total of ۱۱۳ samples (۳۴.۰۴%) had a Ct value less than (≤ ۳۳), with only ۲۰.۳۵% (۲۳/۱۱۳) belonging to symptomatic patients. The mean age was ۳۹.۰۱±۱۳ years. The Beta variant (B.۱.۳۵۱) was the most detected one comprising ۷۸.۸% (۸۹/۱۱۳) of variants. Gamma and Delta variants were detected at a low proportion of ۰.۹% (۱/۱۱۳). No mutation or variant was detected in seven (۶.۲%) samples. Conclusion: Specific mutation screening detected Beta (B.۱.۳۵۱), Gamma (P.۱), and Delta (B.۱.۶۱۷.۲) variants of SARS-CoV-۲ circulating in Burkina Faso. The absence of mutations in some samples might suggest variants other than those detected.

کلیدواژه ها:

SARS-CoV-۲ ، RT-PCR ، Ct ، Variant ، Mutation ، Burkina Faso