Isolation of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.28.2 P2 variant and pathogenicity comparison with D614G variant in hamster model

Yadav, Pragya; Mohandas, Sreelekshmy; Sarkale, Prasad; Nyayanit, Dimpal; Shete, Anita; Sahay, Rima; Potdar, Varsha; Baradkar, Shreekant; Gupta, Nivedita; Sapkal, Gajanan; Abraham, Priya; Panda, Samiran; Bhargava, Balram

Background Considering the potential threat from emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and the rising COVID-19 cases, SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance is ongoing in India. We report herewith the isolation of the P.2 variant (B.1.1.28.2) from international travelers and further its pathogenicity evaluation and comparison with D614G variant (B.1) in hamster model. Methods Virus isolation was performed in Vero CCL81 cells and genomic characterization by next generation sequencing. The pathogenicity of the isolate was assessed in Syrian hamster model and compared with B.1 variant. Results B.1.1.28.2 variant was isolated from nasal/throat swabs of international travelers returned to India from United Kingdom and Brazil. The B.1.1.28.2 variant induced body weight loss, viral replication in the respiratory tract, lung lesions and caused severe lung pathology in infected Syrian hamster model in comparison, with B.1 variant infected hamsters. The sera from B.1.1.28.2 infected hamsters efficiently neutralized the D614G variant virus whereas 6-fold reduction in the neutralization was seen in case of D614G variant infected hamsters’ sera with the B.1.1.28.2 variant. Conclusions B.1.1.28.2 lineage variant could be successfully isolated and characterization could be performed. Pathogenicity of the isolate was demonstrated in Syrian hamster model and in comparison, with B.1 variant was found more pathogenic. The findings of increased disease severity and neutralization reduction is of great concern and point towards the need for screening the vaccines for efficacy.