A newly published article in the journal Nature Microbiology details the dynamics of coronavirus circulation in Brazil and provides a portrait of the first two waves of covid-19. Among other results, the work discusses the role of population mobility, travel restriction measures and the emergence of the first variants in the spread of the disease.
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“The generation of genomes and data analysis is crucial to understanding and monitoring the evolution of pathogens, especially considering the circulation of multiple microorganisms in Brazil, such as Sars-CoV-2, dengue, zika, chikungunya and monkeypox, among others. This highlights the need to keep monitoring systems active”, explains the first author of the article, the visiting researcher at the IOC/Fiocruz Flavivirus Laboratory, Marta Giovanetti.
Led by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz), Butantan Institute and University of São Paulo (USP), the study included the participation of more than one hundred scientists, who work in institutions in eight countries: Brazil, Paraguay, Italy, South Africa South, United Kingdom, Portugal, United States and Australia.
Genomes from all over Brazil
The Study analyzed genomes from all over Brazil. On the map, the circles indicate the volume of genetic sequences corresponding to each state. In the graph, the colors indicate the different viral lineages detected.
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“As researchers, we have an obligation to generate data to try to understand the dispersion processes of pathogens with endemic and epidemic potential and, at the same time, inform health authorities and the population. The preprint allows for this quick sharing”, pointed out researcher Marta.
Transmission
The study points out that most of the introductions of the coronavirus in Brazil occurred before the implementation of restrictive measures, such as closing schools and businesses. Most strains were introduced from Europe, with an estimated 114 independent introductions before April 2020. In the most intense period of restrictions, from April to August 2020, 33 introductions of the coronavirus were recorded.
Despite the large number of imports, there were approximately 10 times more events of export of strains from Brazil to other countries, considering the entire period analyzed.
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Wide database
The research sequenced more than 3,8 Sars-CoV-2 genomes referring to cases registered in eight Brazilian states between February 2020 and June 2021. In addition to IOC/Fiocruz, Instituto Butantan and USP, Central Public Health Laboratories ( Lacens) from five Brazilian states and Paraguay, Instituto Carlos Chagas (Fiocruz-Paraná) and Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto (SP) collaborated with the sequencing.
The volume of sequencing represents about 20% of the total genomes decoded in Brazil during the study period. In the analyses, the researchers also analyzed approximately 13 genomes available in public databases referring to cases registered in the country during the period, reaching a total of approximately 17 genomes. Information regarding cases in Paraguay was also analyzed.
Source: Fiocruz News Agency
