A comprehensive report on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 lineages in Puducherry from 2020 to 2023

Ferdinamarie Sharmila Philomenadin; Reshma Rajendran; Vimal R. Ratchagadasse; Rahul Dhodapkar

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253709

Authors

Ferdinamarie Sharmila Philomenadin Department of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry, India
Reshma Rajendran Department of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry, India
Vimal R. Ratchagadasse Department of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry, IndiaDepartment of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry, India
Rahul Dhodapkar Department of Microbiology, JIPMER, Puducherry, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253709

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, India, Evolution, Molecular epidemiology, Spike gene, Sequencing

Abstract

This study presents the first comprehensive molecular epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Puducherry, India, from 2020 to 2023, analyzing 1,840 sequences from S gene and whole-genome sequencing. Initial waves saw clade G dominance, followed by delta (clade GK) and Omicron (clade GRA) variants. High mutation density was observed in the spike protein’s N-terminal domain, including key mutations like D614G, E484 variants, N501Y, and P681H. The beta-associated A701V mutation was also detected. Findings align with global trends, showing variant transitions and spike mutations influencing infectivity and immune evasion. This work enhances understanding of regional SARS-CoV-2 evolution and variant dynamics.

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