Genome Sequence of a SARS-CoV-2 P.1 Variant of Concern (20J/501Y.V3) from Bangladesh.

This study reports the coding-complete genome sequence, with variant identifications and phylogenetic analysis, of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) P.1 variant (20J/501Y.V3), obtained from an oropharyngeal swab specimen from a female Bangladeshi patient diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with no travel history.

SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces human nasopharyngeal commensal microbiome with inclusion of pathobionts.

The microbiota of the nasopharyngeal tract (NT) play a role in host immunity against respiratory infectious diseases. However, scant information is available on interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the nasopharyngeal microbiome. This study characterizes the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human nasopharyngeal microbiomes and their relevant metabolic functions. Twenty-two (n = 22) nasopharyngeal swab samples (including COVID-19 patients = 8, recovered humans = 7, and healthy people = 7) were collected, and underwent to RNAseq-based metagenomic investigation. Our RNAseq data mapped to 2281 bacterial species (including 1477, 919 and 676 in healthy, COVID-19 and recovered metagenomes, respectively) indicating a distinct microbiome dysbiosis. The COVID-19 and recovered samples included 67% and 77% opportunistic bacterial species, respectively compared to healthy controls. Notably, 79% commensal bacterial species found in healthy controls were not detected in COVID-19 and recovered people. Similar dysbiosis was also found in viral and archaeal fraction of the nasopharyngeal microbiomes. We also detected several altered metabolic pathways and functional genes in the progression and pathophysiology of COVID-19. The nasopharyngeal microbiome dysbiosis and their genomic features determined by our RNAseq analyses shed light on early interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with the nasopharyngeal resident microbiota that might be helpful for developing microbiome-based diagnostics and therapeutics for this novel pandemic disease.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of Three SARS-CoV-2 Strains from Bangladesh.

We report the sequencing of three severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from Bangladesh. We have identified a unique mutation (NSP2_V480I) in one of the sequenced genomes (isolate hCoV-19/Bangladesh/BCSIR-NILMRC-006/2020) compared to the sequences available in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. The data from this analysis will contribute to advancing our understanding of the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh as well as worldwide at the molecular level and will identify potential new targets for interventions.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Circulating Hepatitis B Virus Genotype C Strain Isolated from a Chronically Infected Patient Identified at an Outdoor Hospital in Bangladesh.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes significant global health problems despite the presence of a potential vaccine. HBV chronic cases are increasing rapidly in developing countries like Bangladesh. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of an HBV genotype C strain isolated from a chronic patient identified at an outdoor hospital section.