First whole genome sequences and phylogenetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 virus isolates during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia, North Africa.

Wasfi Fares (1, 2) , Anissa Chouikha (1, 2) , Kais Ghedira (3) , Mariem Gdoura (1, 2) , Dorra Rezig (1, 2) , Sondes Haddad Boubaker (1, 2) , Imene Ben Dhifallah (1, 2) , Henda Touzi (1, 2) , Walid Hammami (1, 2) , Zina Meddeb (1, 2) , Amel Sedraoui (1, 2) , Nahed Hogga (1, 2) , Imen Abouda (1, 2) , Aurelia Kwasiborski (4) , Veronique Hourdel (4) , Guillain Mikaty (4) , Valerie Caro (4) , Jean Claude Manuguerra (4) , Nissaf Ben Alaya (5, 2) , Henda Triki (1, 2)

1 Laboratoire de Virologie Clinique, Référence Régional OMS pour la Poliomyélite et la Rougeole - Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles
2 UTM - Université de Tunis El Manar
3 LR11IPT09 - Laboratoire de Bioinformatique, biomathématiques, biostatistiques (BIMS)
4 CIBU - Cellule d'Intervention Biologique d'Urgence (Centre National de Référence) - Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (National Reference Center)
5 Ministère de la santé Publique [Tunisie]

Full genomes sequences of six Tunisian SARS-CoV-2 strains were obtained from imported and locally transmission cases during the COVID-19 outbreak. Reported sequences were non-identical with 0.1% nucleotide divergence rate and clustered into 6 different clades with worldwide sequences. SNPs results favor the distribution of the reported Tunisian sequences into 3 major genotypes. These results indicate multiple introductions of the virus in Tunisia and add new genomic data on SARS-CoV-2 at the international level.

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]

Wasfi Fares, Anissa Chouikha, Kais Ghedira, Mariem Gdoura, Dorra Rezig, et al.. First whole genome sequences and phylogenetic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 virus isolates during COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia, North Africa.. 2022. ⟨pasteur-03557507⟩