Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40410660›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Genome diversity of SARS-CoV-2 lineages associated with vaccination breakthrough infections in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abebe M Aga, Demise Mulugeta, Atsbeha Gebreegziabxier, Girum Taye Zeleke, Aderajew Mekonnen Girmay, Gutema Bulti Tura, Abaysew Ayele, Ahmed Mohammed, Tigist Belete, Tefera Taddele and 12 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

22 authors.

Abebe M AgaArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia. agagurmu@yahoo.com.
Demise MulugetaArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.
Atsbeha GebreegziabxierEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Girum Taye ZelekeEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Aderajew Mekonnen GirmayEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gutema Bulti TuraEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abaysew AyeleArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.
Ahmed MohammedEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tigist BeleteEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tefera TaddeleEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Rajiha AbubekerEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fanos Tadesse WoldemariyamEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tesfaye GelanewArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.
Yeweynshet TeseraArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.
Bedasa GidisaArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.
Jaleta Bulti TuraEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Gemechu Tadesse LetaEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abraham AliEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Senait Alemayehu BeshahEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Bedasa Wagari LikasaEthiopian Public Health Institute, P.O Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Jemal MohammedArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.
Dereje NigussieArmauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, P.O Box 1005, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExtensive vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 have played a significant role in controlling virus spread and preventing severe illness. This study focused on breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 variant immune escape, with particular attention to lineage distribution among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

methodsA case-control study was conducted from January to April 2023, sequencing 298 samples from participants who tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid diagnostic test (RDT) from 22 health facilities, including vaccinated and unvaccinated cases. Besides clinical and epidemiological data, nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained, and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to determine Cycle threshold (Ct) values, followed by whole genome sequencing of 298 samples fulfilling sequencing criteria to identify variants of concern and specific virus lineages.

resultsOut of 298 samples sequenced, 281 fulfill quality for analysis with 44.8% (126) had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, while 51.9% (146) were not vaccinated, and 3.2% (9) patients had no vaccination records. The analysis showed that all cases were of the Omicron variant, with the XBB.1.5 lineage being the most prevalent (38.4%), followed by FL.2 (9.3%) and XBB.1.9.1.2 (7.8%). The remaining 44.5% comprised a combination of 22 other lineages. The XBB.1.5 variant accounted for 51 (47.2%) cases among vaccinated individuals with at least one dose and 57 (52.8%) among unvaccinated, showing relatively similar prevalence across both groups. The viral load as indicated by the Ct value varied widely, with a significant appearance in the lower ranges (high viral load), suggesting active viral replication. Notably, 25% of samples exhibited high viral loads (Ct values 13-15), showing the high transmissibility of the XBB.1.5 lineage among both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations.

conclusionThe findings emphasize the need for continuous genomic surveillance and regular vaccine updates to address emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly the immune-evasive XBB lineage. The high prevalence of variants like XBB.1.5 in breakthrough infection underscores the importance of adaptive vaccination strategies and next-generation vaccines to maintain efficacy. Ongoing monitoring of variant dynamics is crucial for informed public health responses, strengthening pandemic preparedness and future outbreak prevention.

Indexed as

COVID-19COVID-19 VaccinesGenome, ViralSARS-CoV-2AdolescentAdultAgedBreakthrough InfectionsCase-Control StudiesChildEthiopiaFemaleGenetic VariationHumansMaleMiddle AgedCOVID-19 VaccinesBreakthrough infectionGenomic diversityLineageSARS-COV-2 variantVaccination

Identifiers

PMID40410660
PMCPMC12102866

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.