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

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

Valeria Micheli  1 , Fiorenza Bracchitta  1 , Alberto Rizzo  1 , Alessandro Mancon  1 , Davide Mileto  1 , Alessandra Lombardi  1 , Paola Stefanelli  2 , Maria Rita Gismondo  1
Affiliations

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

Valeria Micheli et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: No reported conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest.

References

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Supplementary concepts