First Identification of the New Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) in Italy

Valeria Micheli; Fiorenza Bracchitta; Alberto Rizzo; Alessandro Mancon; Davide Mileto; Alessandra Lombardi; Paola Stefanelli; Maria Rita Gismondo

doi:10.1093/cid/ciab1044

First Identification of the New Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant (B.1.1.529) in Italy

Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Aug 31;75(3):522-524. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab1044.

Authors

Valeria Micheli¹, Fiorenza Bracchitta¹, Alberto Rizzo¹, Alessandro Mancon¹, Davide Mileto¹, Alessandra Lombardi¹, Paola Stefanelli², Maria Rita Gismondo¹

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergencies, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy.
² Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

We identified the first case in Italy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 variant, using whole-genome sequencing in an Italian subject traveling from Mozambique. Specific mutation profiles deserve further investigations to clarify potential effects on vaccination efficacy. This case highlights the crucial role of rapid and continuous surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variant circulation.

Keywords: B.1.1.529; COVID-19; Omicron; SARS-CoV-2; viral variants.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Italy
Mozambique
SARS-CoV-2* / genetics

Supplementary concepts

SARS-CoV-2 variants