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Open AccessReview
Global Surveillance and Biological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1 Variant: An Emerging VUM Lineage Under Scrutiny
by
Gaojie Cao
Gaojie Cao
,
Chenhui Xu
Chenhui Xu
Linxi Wang
Linxi Wang
Keikei Chai
Keikei Chai
Beibei Wu
Beibei Wu
1
School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
2
School of Public Health, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310051, China
3
School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
4
Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Viruses 2025, 17(11), 1457; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111457 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 17 September 2025
/
Revised: 28 October 2025
/
Accepted: 30 October 2025
/
Published: 31 October 2025
Abstract
The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants poses persistent challenges to global public health. As a sublineage of the XDV.1 variant, NB.1.8.1 has rapidly emerged as a dominant strain worldwide, triggering a new wave of infections. Representing a product of viral adaptation, this variant has acquired several critical amino acid mutations—including A435S and T478I—which enhance its transmissibility and immune evasion capabilities compared to the ancestral XDV.1 lineage. This review systematically summarizes the genomic characteristics, epidemiological features, and immune escape potential of NB.1.8.1. It emphasizes that sustained genomic surveillance and serological assessments are crucial for informing public health response strategies, guiding vaccine development, and optimizing containment measures.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Cao, G.; Xu, C.; Wang, L.; Chai, K.; Wu, B.
Global Surveillance and Biological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1 Variant: An Emerging VUM Lineage Under Scrutiny. Viruses 2025, 17, 1457.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111457
AMA Style
Cao G, Xu C, Wang L, Chai K, Wu B.
Global Surveillance and Biological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1 Variant: An Emerging VUM Lineage Under Scrutiny. Viruses. 2025; 17(11):1457.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111457
Chicago/Turabian Style
Cao, Gaojie, Chenhui Xu, Linxi Wang, Keikei Chai, and Beibei Wu.
2025. "Global Surveillance and Biological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1 Variant: An Emerging VUM Lineage Under Scrutiny" Viruses 17, no. 11: 1457.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111457
APA Style
Cao, G., Xu, C., Wang, L., Chai, K., & Wu, B.
(2025). Global Surveillance and Biological Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1 Variant: An Emerging VUM Lineage Under Scrutiny. Viruses, 17(11), 1457.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v17111457
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