Lee, S.H. Accurate Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 by Sanger Sequencing of Receptor-Binding Domain Is Needed for Clinical Evaluation of Its Immune Evasion. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines 2024, 12, 69–78, doi:10.4236/jbm.2024.124007.
Lee, S.H. Accurate Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 by Sanger Sequencing of Receptor-Binding Domain Is Needed for Clinical Evaluation of Its Immune Evasion. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines 2024, 12, 69–78, doi:10.4236/jbm.2024.124007.
Lee, S.H. Accurate Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 by Sanger Sequencing of Receptor-Binding Domain Is Needed for Clinical Evaluation of Its Immune Evasion. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines 2024, 12, 69–78, doi:10.4236/jbm.2024.124007.
Lee, S.H. Accurate Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 by Sanger Sequencing of Receptor-Binding Domain Is Needed for Clinical Evaluation of Its Immune Evasion. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines 2024, 12, 69–78, doi:10.4236/jbm.2024.124007.
Abstract
Background: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron JN.1 has the highest number of amino acid mutations in its receptor binding domain (RBD) and has acquired a hallmark L455S mutation. The immune evasion capability of JN.1 is a subject of scientific investigation. The US CDC used RT-qPCR SGTF as the proxy indicator of JN.1 infections for evaluation of the effectiveness of updated monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines against JN.1 and recommended that all persons aged ≥6 months should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Objective: Recommend Sanger sequencing for diagnosis of JN.1 infections to generate the data based on which guidelines are made to direct vaccination policies.
Methods: The RNA in nasopharyngeal swab specimens from patients with clinical respiratory infection was subjected to nested RT-PCR, targeting a 398-base segment of the N-gene and a 445-base segment of the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 for amplification. The DNA sequences were analyzed for amino acid mutations.
Results: The N-gene sequence showed Q229K, usually associated with Omicron BA.2.86 (+JN.1). The RBD sequence showed 24 amino acid mutations, including the hallmark L455S mutation for JN.1 and the V483del for BA.2.86 lineage.
Conclusions: The CDC should consider Sanger sequencing of the RBD to diagnose JN.1 infections for statistical analysis in making vaccination policies.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases
Copyright:
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