Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica
Volume/Issue:
Volume 71: Issue 2
Unveiling the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 sub-variant: Insights from the first cases at Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunisia
Authors:
Zaineb Hamzaoui University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8348-0000
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Sana Ferjani University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia

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Lamia Kanzari University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Roua Ben Ali National Center Chalbibelkahia of Pharmacovigilance of Tunis, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, 9 Avenue Dr. Zouhaier Essafi 1006 Bab Souika, Tunis, Tunisia

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Latifa Charaa Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Ichrak Landolsi Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Ines Medini National Center Chalbibelkahia of Pharmacovigilance of Tunis, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, 9 Avenue Dr. Zouhaier Essafi 1006 Bab Souika, Tunis, Tunisia

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Sarra Chammam National Center Chalbibelkahia of Pharmacovigilance of Tunis, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, 9 Avenue Dr. Zouhaier Essafi 1006 Bab Souika, Tunis, Tunisia

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Salma Abid University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Asma Ferjani University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Dhouha Kebaier University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Ahmed Fakhfakh University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Zoubeir Bouslah University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Mouna Ben Sassi National Center Chalbibelkahia of Pharmacovigilance of Tunis, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, 9 Avenue Dr. Zouhaier Essafi 1006 Bab Souika, Tunis, Tunisia
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR16SP02, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia

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Sameh Trabelsi National Center Chalbibelkahia of Pharmacovigilance of Tunis, Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, 9 Avenue Dr. Zouhaier Essafi 1006 Bab Souika, Tunis, Tunisia
University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR16SP02, 1007 Tunis, Tunisia

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Ilhem Boutiba-Ben Boubaker University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, LR99ES09, Tunis 1007, Tunisia
Charles Nicolle Hospital, Laboratory of Microbiology, Tunis 1006, Tunisia

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Pages:
165–171
Online Publication Date:
08 May 2024
Publication Date:
02 Jul 2024
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2024.02247
Keywords:
JN.1 sub-variant; Omicron; BA.2.86; L455S mutation; SARS-CoV-2
Restricted access

Abstract

The JN.1 sub-variant is a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain, derived from the BA.2.86 sub-variant. It was first detected in late 2023 and has quickly spread to many countries, becoming the most prevalent variant in some regions. JN.1 exhibits a unique mutation (L455S) in the spike protein compared to the BA.2.86 lineage, which may affect its transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities. JN.1 has been designated as a “variant of interest” by the World Health Organization due to its rapidly increasing spread and is being closely monitored for its impact on the COVID-19 pandemic. This study describes the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 sub-variant in Tunisia, and reports its mutation profiles.

Nasopharyngeal samples collected over a four-month period (October 2023 to January 2024) were subjected to RNA extraction and real-time RT-PCR confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The whole-genome sequencing was performed by an iSeq 100 sequencer and COVIDSeq kit reagents (Illumina, USA).

Mutation analysis, using the NextClade platform and GISAID database, revealed the presence of JN.1 in 15 out of 80 positive cases (18.75%) during the study period.

The emergence of JN.1 highlights the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the need for continued surveillance and research to better understand the characteristics and impact of emerging variants.

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Cover Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica
Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica A Quarterly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Print ISSN:
1217-8950
Online ISSN:
1588-2640

Senior editors

Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Dóra Szabó (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)

Managing Editor: Dr. Béla Kocsis (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)

Co-editor: Dr. Andrea Horváth (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)

Editorial Board

  • Prof. Éva ÁDÁM (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. Sebastian AMYES (Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.)
  • Dr. Katalin BURIÁN (Institute of Clinical Microbiology University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.)
  • Dr. Orsolya DOBAY (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. Ildikó Rita DUNAY (Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany)
  • Prof. Levente EMŐDY(Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.)
  • Prof. Anna ERDEI (Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary, MTA-ELTE Immunology Research Group, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.)
  • Prof. Éva Mária FENYŐ (Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden)
  • Prof. László FODOR (Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. József KÓNYA (Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary)
  • Prof. Yvette MÁNDI (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary)
  • Prof. Károly MÁRIALIGETI (Department of Microbiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. János MINÁROVITS (Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary)
  • Prof. Béla NAGY (Centre for Agricultural Research, Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Budapest, Hungary.)
  • Prof. István NÁSZ (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. Kristóf NÉKÁM (Hospital of the Hospitaller Brothers in Buda, Budapest, Hungary.)
  • Dr. Eszter OSTORHÁZI (Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. Rozália PUSZTAI (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary)
  • Prof. Peter L. RÁDY (Department of Dermatology, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA)
  • Prof. Éva RAJNAVÖLGYI (Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary)
  • Prof. Ferenc ROZGONYI (Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary)
  • Prof. Joseph G. SINKOVICS (The Cancer Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA)
  • Prof. Júlia SZEKERES (Department of Medical Biology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.)
  • Prof. Mária TAKÁCS (National Reference Laboratory for Viral Zoonoses, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary.)
  • Prof. Edit URBÁN (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.)

 

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Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica
Language English
Size A4
Year of
Foundation		 1954
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 4
Founder Magyar Tudományos Akadémia
Founder's
Address		 H-1051 Budapest, Hungary, Széchenyi István tér 9.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1217-8950 (Print)
ISSN 1588-2640 (Online)

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