NEW DELHI: The genome sequencing on nasal and throat samples of COVID-19 positive patients in India has confirmed that mutation has occured in Coronavirus It has found that strains in those who who returned from Italy or were in touch with Italy-returned patients are similar to the strains found in nine countries.These nine countries are Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Scotland, England and Finland.The sequencing has also revealed those tourists who upon return from Iran were tested positive have virus strains similar to that found in Kuwait "A mutation V9082F was unique to four of sequences of those who returned from Iran and they clustered with a strain from Kuwait," the study has said.Scientists from NCDC, National Institute of Virology and Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) who conducted the study said the research would help ascertain the numer of possible mutations and sharpen the research of vaccine and drugs.“So when we say the strains found in these nine countries have matched with the one found in those who returned to India from Italy, like in Agra case, we mean that similar mutations are present in strains isolated from both Agra cases and Italy cases” said KGMU’s Dr Amita Jain, head microbiology and co-author of the report.“It is vital to track the evolutionary dynamics of the strains vis-a-vis the strains circulating globally and monitor any specific changes in the functional sites of the major viral proteins -- that is mutation. This will help us figure out right vaccine and drug considering all possible mutations in India and world,” said a senior scientist.The samples were collected from 15 positive Italian tourists and Indian travellers from Italy between March 1-30.They included four Agra contacts of an Italy-returned Delhi-based individual.Their strains have a characteristic of speficic amino acids and spike protien of a variant G clade.A clade is a group of organisms that have common ancestor."The circulating strains in the world of Coronavirus patients are divided into three major evolving clades -- S, V and G -- that have been reflected in GISAID. Clade G is apparently being one of the dominant ones," said an senior scientist, involved in the study.It added that the full genome sequencing in has further confirmed a distinct SARS-CoV-2 link to travellers returning from Iran to Australia and New Zealand -- who have similar strains.