Abstract
Genetic characterization may provide useful insights into severe acute
respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) circulating in Bangladesh. Here
we analyzed the SARS Cov 2 positive 41 nasopharyngeal samples collected
in lysis buffer obtained at different regional national laboratories of
Bangladesh during July – December 2020. Full length spike gene was
amplified and SARS CoV 2 was confirmed upon Sanger sequencing. Multiple
ClustalW alignment and phylogenetic study of 15 strains showed that
genetically diverse SARS CoV 2 is circulating in the country where 80
documented and 55 novel substitutions have been observed in different
regions of spike glycoprotein. Major mutations and/or deletions was
identified at conserved amino acid positions that are functionally
linked to host transition, antigenic drift, host surface receptor
binding or antibody recognition sites, and viral oligomerization
interfaces that may have significant effects on pathogenic capacity and
epidemiological signatures.