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LSMU researchers, in cooperation with specialists from the Kaunas clinics, continued their research on the sequencing of the coronavirus genome (genetic material) over the holidays.
LSMU Vice-Rector for Science, Professor Vaiva Lesauskaitė. Photo for LSMU
“Today, we have tested more than 200 coronavirus genomes. Virus variants that spread in Lithuania in spring, autumn and are present are evaluated. This is the largest study of its kind in the Baltic States. In the near future, we will share the results of the latest research in the international GISAID database, “said LSMU’s vice-rector for Sciences, prof. Vaiva Lesauskaitė.
According to the professor, the accumulated experience of COVID-19 genome research, as well as modern laboratory equipment from the LSMU and Kaunas clinics helped achieve such an impressive result.
Eriko Ovcharenko / 15min night / Astra Vitkauskienė
“Very important and necessary work has been done. The researchers managed to study 60 SARS-CoV-2 samples collected between November and December in Lithuania, most of which were completely new samples taken from patients on December 23,” he noted. Prof. Astra Vitkauskiene.
Scientists note that natural processes are currently taking place: the coronavirus is gradually changing, new virus lines are gradually overshadowing old ones. The intensification of population travel during the summer may have had a significant impact on the changes and spread of the virus.
According to the project researcher, LSMU PhD student Lukas Zemaitis, the British type of virus, which has caused much concern, may have already reached Lithuania, but this study, which evaluated a random sample, sought to find out which genetic variations SARS-CoV-2 are common in Lithuania.
The researchers did not detect the British multilingual virus type (virus line B.1.1.7) in the samples tested. According to the researchers, it is likely that this type of virus is not widespread in Lithuania, but this does not mean that there is no virus in Lithuania. To detect this virus line, samples should be selected for specific PCR markers or those from the UK. Until now, scientists have not specifically looked for this type of virus.
15 minutes on Monday he wrote that It is possible that the fastest spreading coronavirus strain has already reached Lithuania: 7 cases are suspected in the Santara clinics.
“Previous sequencing of the viral genome revealed direct links between the coronavirus and the Wuhan-derived COVID-19 virus. The fall wave more reflected European trends, but recent studies suggest that the type of virus derived from Spain (virus line B .1.177), which spread in the summer, is now predominant.
Sigismund Gedvila investigation / 15min photo / COVID-19
This autumn, it was found in various regions of Europe and spread strongly in the UK. The spread is associated with travel. We detected this type of virus for the first time in September. It was then detected in eleven of the nearly eighty samples tested. It currently dominates and is set at more than 90 percent. samples, ”said Lukas Žemaitis.
The researchers emphasize that it is necessary to continue researching on the sequencing of the viral genome, only then will we know the real situation of the coronavirus pandemic in Lithuania. According to the researchers, diagnosing the disease also requires knowing which variants of the virus are currently circulating.
Some countries have established special consortia for the investigation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome to rapidly detect changes in the viral genome. In Lithuania, research on the SARS-CoV-2 genome is currently carried out only at the initiative of scientists. Until now, the sequencing of the viral genome has been done after the LSMU research group has received funding from the Lithuanian Scientific Council.
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