Long-Term Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in an Immunocompromised Patient with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Vítor Borges, Joana Isidro, Mário Cunha, Daniela Cochicho, Luís Martins, Luís Banha, Margarida Figueiredo, Leonor Rebelo, Maria Céu Trindade, Sílvia Duarte, Luı́s Vieira, Maria João Alves, Inês Costa, Raquel Guiomar, Madalena Santos, Rita Côrte‐Real, André Dias, Diana Póvoas, J. F. González Cabo, Carlos Figueiredo, Maria José Manata, Fernando Maltêz, María Gomes da Silva, João Paulo Gomes
Abstract
Tracking the within-patient evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is key to understanding how this pandemic virus shapes its genome toward immune evasion and survival. In the present study, by monitoring a long-term COVID-19 immunocompromised patient, we observed the concurrent emergence of mutations potentially associated with immune evasion and/or enhanced transmission, mostly targeting the SARS-CoV-2 key host-interacting protein and antigen. These findings show that the frequent oscillation in the immune status in immunocompromised individuals can trigger an accelerated virus evolution, thus consolidating this study model as an accelerated pathway to better understand SARS-CoV-2 adaptive traits and anticipate the emergence of variants of concern.