Genomic Epidemiology and Lineage Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Bulgaria: Insights from a Three-Year Pandemic Analysis
Marta Giovanetti,
Eleonora Cella,
Ivan Ivanov,
Lyubomira Grigorova,
Ivan Stoikov,
Deyan Donchev,
Reneta Dimitrova,
Svetoslav Nanev Slavov,
Carla Mavian,
Vagner Fonseca,
Fabio Scarpa,
Alessandra Borsetti,
Neli Korsun,
Ivelina Trifonova,
Veselin Dobrinov,
Todor Kantardjiev,
Iva Christova,
Massimo Ciccozzi,
Ivailo Alexiev
Affiliations
Marta Giovanetti
Instituto Rene Rachou Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-009, Brazil
Eleonora Cella
Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
Ivan Ivanov
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Lyubomira Grigorova
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ivan Stoikov
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Deyan Donchev
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Reneta Dimitrova
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05508-040, Brazil
Carla Mavian
Emerging Pathogens Institute, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
Vagner Fonseca
Department of Exact and Earth Sciences, University of the State of Bahia, Salvador 40285-001, Brazil
Fabio Scarpa
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Alessandra Borsetti
National HIV/AIDS Research Center (CNAIDS), National Institute of Health, 00118 Rome, Italy
Neli Korsun
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ivelina Trifonova
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Veselin Dobrinov
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Todor Kantardjiev
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Iva Christova
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Massimo Ciccozzi
Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Universita Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
Ivailo Alexiev
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has brought about significant challenges worldwide. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the genomic epidemiology and lineage dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Bulgaria over a three-year period. Through extensive genomic sequencing and data analysis, we investigated the evolution of the virus, the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs), and their impact on the country’s pandemic trajectory. We also assessed the relationship between viral diversity and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Bulgaria. Our findings shed light on the temporal and spatial distribution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages and provide crucial insights into the dynamics of the pandemic in the country. The interplay between international travel and viral transmission plays a significant role in the emergence and dissemination of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The observed proportions of exportation to various continents provide insights into the potential pathways through which these lineages spread globally. Understanding the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Bulgaria is essential for formulating targeted public health strategies, enhancing vaccination efforts, and effectively managing future outbreaks.
