Characterization of a Lineage C.36 SARS-CoV-2 Isolate with Reduced Susceptibility to Neutralization Circulating in Lombardy, Italy

SARS-CoV-2 spike is evolving to maximize transmissibility and evade the humoral response. The massive genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 isolates has led to the identification of single-point mutations and deletions, often having the recurrence of hotspots, associated with advantageous phenotypes. We report the isolation and molecular characterization of a SARS-CoV-2 strain, belonging to a lineage (C.36) not previously associated with concerning traits, which shows decreased susceptibility to vaccine sera neutralization.

Automated summary

The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is evolving to increase transmissibility and evade immune responses, with genomic sequencing identifying single-point mutations and deletions. A strain of SARS-CoV-2 belonging to a previously unassociated lineage has been found to have decreased susceptibility to vaccine-induced neutralization.