Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was found in Wuhan, China,
in November 2019. The World Health Organization proclaimed the illness a
global pandemic. Aim and Objectives: This study determined mutations over a
period of time in SARS-CoV-2 variants from different countries and the
phylogenetic relationship between them. Material and Methods: Genomic
sequences from Specified Countries Sequenced in 2020, 2021, and 2022 were
downloaded from GenBank and NCBI and analyzed using specialized
bioinformatics software such as BLAST. Variations within specific regions were
examined with the aid of the reference genome (NC_045512.2). A phylogenetic
tree was generated using the software MEGA 11. Results: A total of 659 variations
were found, of which 582 (88.31%) were mismatches, 65 (9.86%) were gaps
(deletions), and 12 (1.82%) were insertions. Most variations were found in ORF-
1ab, which is 266 (45.70%), and the most common nucleotide variation found was
C>T, commonly found in Australian isolates. Phylogeny showed that the
reference genome and the South Africa 2020 isolate were homologous. Conclusion:
It was concluded that SARS-CoV-2 mutates over time, changing its genomic
sequence and leading to changes in its structure. This changes its affectivity,
resulting in changes in its pathogenicity.
Keywords: BLAST, MEGA, Phylogenetic tree, SARS-CoV-2, Genetic Variations