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In spring 2021, an increasing number of infections was observed caused by the hitherto rarely described SARS-CoV-2 variant A.27 in south-west Germany. From December 2020 to June 2021 this lineage has been detected in 31 countries. Phylogeographic analyses of A.27 sequences obtained from national and international databases reveal a global spread of this lineage through multiple introductions from its inferred origin in Western Africa. Variant A.27 is characterized by a mutational pattern in the spike gene that includes the L18F, L452R and N501Y spike amino acid substitutions found in various variants of concern but lacks the globally dominant D614G. Neutralization assays demonstrate an escape of A.27 from convalescent and vaccine-elicited antibody-mediated immunity. Moreover, the therapeutic monoclonal antibody Bamlanivimab and partially the REGN-COV2 cocktail fail to block infection by A.27. Our data emphasize the need for continued global monitoring of novel lineages because of the independent evolution of new escape mutations. The A.27 SARS-CoV-2 lineage spread globally in 2021 but did not become dominant. Here, the authors show that A.27 shares some mutations in the spike gene that are present in variants of concern, but lacks the D614G mutation, indicating independent evolution of immune escape properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since April 2022, increasing numbers of monkeypox (MPX) cases have been reported outside endemic areas as part of an international outbreak. Our study shows aspects of clinical manifestations as well as epidemiological and virological features impacting transmission, for which only scarce data are available so far. We present a descriptive study consisting of epidemiological, clinical and virological data of four patients with confirmed MPX diagnosis. Follow-up examinations included in-depth virological investigations, including MPX virus-specific quantitative PCR and virus isolation. Between 22 May 2022, and 21 June 2022, four patients with MPX were evaluated. The number of lesions ranged between one and more than 30, with asynchronous eruptions. The periorificial distribution of initial lesions together with the case histories strongly suggest human-to-human transmission during intimate contacts in sexual activities. None of the patients reported about memorable lesions on the skin of potential risk contacts. Virological sampling showed positive MPX virus-specific quantitative PCR results from swabs of the primary lesions (until day 22 after symptom onset), pharyngeal and anal mucosa, urine, seminal fluid, blood and samples of non-affected skin. Virus isolation was positive in 6/14 samples (lesional skin, anal and pharyngeal mucosa). One patient required inpatient treatment for bacterial superinfection; in another patient, three sexually transmitted co-infections were present. Our report demonstrates asynchronous multiple-site lesions of MPX with prolonged PCR positivity in mucosal swabs, swabs of non-affected skin, urine and seminal fluid. In addition, infectious virus was confirmed on lesional skin and mucosal swabs. The observed virological kinetics together with the suspected pre-symptomatic transmission may lead to effective and sustained human-to-human transmission, particularly in sexual networks. Preventive measures such as vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis may become important for MPX control in vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]