Tracking the shifting landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Lebanon among healthcare workers and hospitalized patients
Rattachement africain : lb, pk. Niveau de preuve : code pays fourni par la source.
Le résumé fourni par la source
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for tracking viral evolution and informing public health responses. This study characterized variants circulating among healthcare workers (HCWs) and hospitalized patients in Lebanon between January 2022 and September 2024. A total of 530 SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from five Lebanese governorates and subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Correlations between variant circulation and a number of demographic and clinical variables were assessed. Most HCWs were female (64%), young adults (20-30 years, 39%), and had no comorbidities (97%). In contrast, hospitalized patients were mostly older adults (>60 years, 55.6%) with underlying conditions (77%). Early 2022 was marked by BA.1- and BA.2-like Omicron variants, followed by the predominance of BA.5-like lineages. In 2023, recombinant XBB sublineages became widespread. By 2024, these were largely replaced by next-generation variants, including JN.1 and KP.3.1.1. Despite differences in demographics and exposure risk, both groups showed parallel variant evolution. These findings reflect global and regional patterns and highlight the dynamic nature of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in Lebanon. IMPORTANCE: This study provides a comprehensive snapshot of SARS-CoV-2 variant evolution in Lebanon between 2022 and 2024, focusing on healthcare workers and hospitalized patients. By combining genomic and clinical data, it reveals how successive Omicron subvariants emerged and spread within key population groups. The detection of diverse and evolving lineages, including XBB recombinants and next-generation variants such as JN.1, underscores the ongoing antigenic drift of SARS-CoV-2. These insights reinforce the value of continued genomic surveillance for pandemic preparedness, especially in regions where data remain limited. Understanding local variant dynamics can guide targeted vaccination strategies and health policy decisions.
Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.
Le contrôle bibliographique ouvert
DOI retrouvé dans Crossref DOI retrouvé ; titre concordant.
- Titre Crossref
- Tracking the shifting landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Lebanon among healthcare workers and hospitalized patients
- Date Crossref
- 04/08/2026
- Éditeur
- American Society for Microbiology
- Type
- journal-article
Ce recoupement confirme des métadonnées liées au DOI. Il ne confirme ni la méthode ni les conclusions de l’étude, et il ne compte pas comme une seconde source scientifique indépendante.
Où se fait cette recherche
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American University of Beirut Department of Family Medicine pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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World Health Organization - Pakistan pays non établi dans la noticeOrganisme public
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World Health Organization - Lebanon pays non établi dans la noticeOrganisme public
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Ministry of Public Health pays non établi dans la noticeOrganisme public
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Faculty of Medicine Center for Infectious Diseases Research pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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Faculty of Health Sciences Medical Laboratory Sciences Program pays non établi dans la noticeUniversité ou école supérieure
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World Health Organization—Country Office—Beirut pays non établi dans la noticeInstitution
Department of Family Medicine — American University of Beirut, World Health Organization - Pakistan et World Health Organization - Lebanon, avec 4 autres affiliations.
Une affiliation ne permet pas de déduire la nationalité d’un auteur.