New SARS-CoV-2 variants are constantly emerging and putting a strain on public health systems by spreading faster and potentially evading immune protection through vaccination. One of these strains is the B.1.1.7 variant that has initially been described in the United Kingdom and has subsequently spread to several countries. Monitoring the amplification of the S gene—a major hotspot for molecular evolution—by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) allows rapidly screening for such variants. This report describes the detection of sequence variants in Romania by using this strategy followed by next-generation sequencing of the entire genome for confirmation and further characterization. One B.1.1.7 and three B.1.258 sequences were confirmed. Each of these strains presented additional mutations with possible impact on the replicative capacity. Public health strategies should be devised to ensure molecular monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 evolution during the pandemic and allow adequate and rapid reaction.

中文翻译：

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简短交流：新型 SARS-CoV-2 变体在罗马尼亚流通的证据

新的 SARS-CoV-2 变种不断出现，传播速度更快，并可能通过接种疫苗来逃避免疫保护，从而给公共卫生系统带来压力。其中一种毒株是 B.1.1.7 变种，最初在英国被描述，随后传播到几个国家。通过逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT-PCR) 监测 S 基因（分子进化的一个主要热点）的扩增可以快速筛选此类变异。本报告描述了通过使用此策略在罗马尼亚检测序列变异，然后对整个基因组进行下一代测序以进行确认和进一步表征。确认了一个 B.1.1.7 和三个 B.1.258 序列。这些菌株中的每一个都呈现出可能对复制能力产生影响的额外突变。应制定公共卫生战略，以确保在大流行期间对 SARS-CoV-2 进化进行分子监测，并允许充分和快速的反应。