Genomic epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Pakistan

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Oct. 22, 2024

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has posed extraordinary challenges to global health systems and economies. virus’s rapid evolution resulted in several variants of concern (VOCs), including the highly transmissible Omicron variant, characterized extensive mutations. In this study, we investigated genetic diversity, population differentiation, evolutionary dynamics VOC during fifth wave COVID-19 Pakistan. Methods A total 954 genomes sequenced Pakistan were analyzed. Bayesian framework was employed for phylogenetic reconstructions, molecular dating, analysis. Results Using a genomics approach, analyzed Pakistani samples, revealing low within-population diversity significant structural variation spike (S) protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed that variant originated from two distinct lineages, BA.1 BA.2, which introduced South Africa, Thailand, Spain, Belgium. Omicron-specific mutations, those receptor-binding domain, identified. estimated rate 2.562E-3 mutations per site year (95% HPD interval: 8.8067E-4 4.1462E-3). skyline plot indicated expansion at end 2021, coinciding with outbreak. Comparative other VOCs as divergent, monophyletic group, suggesting unique pathway. Conclusions This study provides comprehensive overview Omicron’s genomic epidemiology, Pakistan, emphasizing need collaboration monitoring enhancing pandemic preparedness.

Language: Английский

Estimating the social burden of COVID-19 among caregivers of COVID-19 patients in punjab, pakistan

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Nov. 28, 2024

Quantifying the COVID-19 burden is critical to public health response, resource allocation, and policies mitigate pandemic, reduce its impact on well-being, ensure recovery resilience of affected communities. Though a lot research has been done worldwide issues caregivers during information about Pakistani context not sufficient. The present study aims explore quantify social family patients in Pakistan scientific grounds, which will be foundation for policy, support services, eventually improvements well-being who are facing unrepresentative challenges pandemic. cross-sectional Punjab-Pakistan pandemic quantifies through 22-item scale developed binary response. study's findings proposed model based five domains . In addition, observed significant associations between some profile variables, such as gender, age, marital status, occupation, income, living arrangements, caregiving types. helpful researchers, practitioners, policymakers understand face Pakistan.

Language: Английский