Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41283294›Full record

ArticleEpidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Northern Greece from the Index Case up to Early 2025 Using Nanopore Sequencing.

Georgios Meletis, Styliani Pappa, Georgia Gioula, Maria Exindari, Maria Christoforidi, Anna Papa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Georgios MeletisLaboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-8750-513X
Styliani PappaLaboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-2249-2443
Georgia GioulaLaboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0009-0003-7215-106X
Maria ExindariLaboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-4052-8550
Maria ChristoforidiLaboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Anna PapaLaboratory of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-6643-3322

Funding

European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme 874735 (VEO)National Public Investment Program of the Ministry of Development and Investment/General Secretariat for Research and Technology, in the framework of the Flagship Initiative to address SARS-CoV-2 2020∑Ε01300001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesSince its emergence in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated remarkable genetic diversity driven by mutations and recombination events that shaped the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuous genomic monitoring is essential to track viral evolution, assess the spread of variants of concern (VOCs), and inform public health strategies. The present study aimed to characterize the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Greece from the first national case in February 2020 through early 2025.

methodsA total of 66 respiratory samples collected from hospitalized patients across Northern Greece were subjected to whole-genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION Mk1C platform and the ARTIC protocol. Sequences were analyzed with PANGO, Nextclade, and GISAID nomenclature systems for lineage and clade assignment, and the WHO nomenclature for VOCs.

resultsAcross 66 genomes, 34 PANGO lineages were identified. Early introductions included B.1 (2/66), B.1.177 (3/66), and B.1.258 (1/66). Alpha (5/66) and Beta (5/66) circulated in February-June 2021. Delta (AY.43) was detected in early 2022 (2/66; Jan-Feb) but was rapidly displaced by Omicron and reached 100% of the sequences by May 2022. Omicron diversified into BA.1/BA.1.1 (3/66), BA.2 (6/66), BA.4/BA.5 (14/66), BF.5 (1/66), EG.5 (1/66; designated a WHO Variant of Interest in 2023), JN.1 (4/66; globally dominant lineage prompting vaccine updates in 2024-2025), KS.1 (2/66; together with KS.1.1 are recognized PANGO lineages that were tracked internationally but remained less prevalent), KP.3 (5/66; together with KP.3.1.1, prominent "FLiRT" descendants circulating in 2024), and recombinants XDK, XDD, and XEC (5/66), reported by their PANGO names in accordance with the WHO's current framework, which reserves Greek letters only for newly designated VOCs.

conclusionsThis five-year genomic analysis provides an insight into the continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Greece. The findings underscore the importance of sustained genomic surveillance, integrated with epidemiological data, to detect emerging variants, monitor recombination, and strengthen preparedness for future coronavirus threats.

Indexed as

alphabetaCOVID-19deltaEG.5genomic surveillanceGreeceJN.1KP.3molecular epidemiologynanoporeomicronrecombinationSARS-CoV-2VOC

Identifiers

PMID41283294
PMCPMC12641784

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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.