PGI, Chandigarh mulls in-house genome sequencing to check coronavirus variants

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 27

The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is mulling starting genome sequencing within the institute in wake of rapid increase in Delta variant of concern (VOC) in the region.

Genome sequencing is crucial to detect new variants of coronavirus. Confirming the same, PGI Director Prof Jagat Ram said: “We are mulling starting gene sequencing at our institute and will begin the process of purchasing machinery and other equipment. The process of sending samples to other institutions is time consuming. At this time when the virus is mutating, it becomes important to carry sequencing every now and then.”

“We can do gene sequencing of patients who are critically ill to understand the pathogen causing the disease. The gene sequencing can be done for many pathogens as well and this will help the clinicians in long run,” said Prof Jagat Ram.

Epidemiologist Dr Chandrakant Lahariya said: “All large institutes such as the PGI and others need to have in-house genomic sequencing capacity. In addition, every major state needs to have 1 to 2 labs within states.”

T Jacob John, a top virologist, said: “Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing Consortia (INSACOG) consists of 24 selected labs and these are coordinated and quality tested by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The Government of India does not desire volunteer institutions doing genome sequencing for national survey purposes. If the PGI, Chandigarh, can do genome sequencing, my advice is for the PGI to inform the NCDC and ask if it can join the INSACOG network.”

Only 0.3% samples sequenced in UT

Chandigarh has sent only 196 samples for sequencing according to GISAID, a global repository of coronavirus variants. This is only 0.3 per cent of the total cases of Covid-19 detected in Chandigarh to date.

“The recommendation by the WHO is to sequence genome from 5 per cent of all RT-PCR positive swabs to know the present variant profile and detect any new variant that needs to be watched further. There is a second part to variant monitoring - that is to check if any new variant shows a tendency to spread fast (faster than other VoCs) or tendency to cause more disease (than others),” said Virologist T Jacob John.

Dr Lahariya said: “We should aim for 2 per cent of daily cases as well as all samples of those died and a reasonable proportion from cases in children and that of moderate to severe cases. More important is to have representative samples from all states of the country.”