Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Key Mutations in Vienna Detected by Large Scale Screening Program

Thannesberger, Jakob; Edermayr, Anna; Karimi, Alireza; Mueller, Mathias; Karnthaler, Ursula; Gauss, Richard; Penz, Daniela; Ferlitsch, Arnulf; Steininger, Christoph

Currently countries across the globe are preparing for the fourth wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections, which is mainly driven by the rapid spread of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. Austria and, in particular, the capital city of Vienna, witnessed a disproportionally steep rise in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates during the last wave of infections. By the end of January 2021, the government of Vienna launched an innovative, state-wide SARS-CoV-2 screening program based on PCR analysis of self-collected mouthwash samples. More than 400,000 mouthwash samples were collected in Vienna during the third wave of infection from January to March 2021. All preanalytical and analytical steps were carried out in a highly standardized manner at a single certified testing center. SARS-CoV-2 specific PCR analysis revealed in these samples a positivity rate of 0.43%. The relative proportion of N501Y positive virus samples increased continually to 68% of weekly samples. Mutation K417N was detected only in three samples. With this study, we were able to map the temporal occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 variants in a highly unbiased manner. Positivity rates and variant prevalence rates in this study were lower than in other nationwide programs. The results presented in this study indicate that actual virus prevalence tends to be overestimated by surveillance programs such as results of cluster analysis or contact tracing programs.