Genomics and epidemiology of a novel SARS-CoV-2 lineage in Manaus, Brazil P1 coronavirus

Through genome sequencing of viruses sampled in Manaus between November 2020 and January 2021, we identified the emergence and circulation of a novel SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, lineage P.1, that acquired 17 mutations, including a trio in the spike protein (K417T, E484K and N501Y) associated with increased binding to the human ACE2 receptor.  More...

Italian vaccinated with Pfizer/Biontech vaccine is infected with Brazilian coronavirus variant 501YV2

A health professional at a hospital in L’Aquila, Italy, was infected with the variant Brazilian P.1 of the new coronavirus, even after being immunized with the vacina pharmaceutical company Pfizer in partnership with BioNTech.  More...