Amplification Artifact in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sequences Carrying P681R Mutation, New York, USA.

Heguy, Adriana; Dimartino, Dacia; Marier, Christian; Zappile, Paul; Guzman, Emily; Duerr, Ralf; Guiqing Wang; Plitnick, Jonathan; Russell, Alexis; Lamson, Daryl M.; St. George, Kirsten

Of 379 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 samples collected in New York, USA, we detected 86 Omicron variant sequences containing Delta variant mutation P681R. Probable explanations were co-infection with 2 viruses or contamination/amplification artifact. Repeated library preparation with fewer cycles showed the P681R calls were artifactual. Unusual mutations should be interpreted with caution.

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2022, Vol 28, Issue 4, p881

1080-6040

Academic Journal

10.3201/eid2804.220146