Four variants of the coronavirus keep scientists awake at night. Why?

Viruses have mutated, mutated and will mutate, scientists and doctors remind. It is no different with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. There may already be several tens of thousands of mutations, most of which are neutral or harmful to the virus itself. Among them, however, there are at least four new variants that keep scientists awake at night. How do they stand out and why do they worry specialists so much?

1. Coronavirus, like other viruses, is constantly mutating. However, most of them are irrelevant – they are neutral or even harmful to the virus
2. Currently, at least four new variants of the coronavirus are causing concern to scientists
3. The first, identified for the first time in the South East of England, is now present in at least 60 countries around the world. Another are those identified in South Africa and Brazil, as well as a Californian variant
4. You can find more about the coronavirus and vaccinations on the Onet homepage.

Mutation and new virus variant – what is it all about? We explain

There is widespread concern about the new discovered variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. However, it must not be forgotten that this pathogen, like other viruses, constantly mutates, and there can be even tens of thousands of such mutations. Most of them, however, are irrelevant – they are neutral or even harmful to the virus, so they quickly “disappear”.

It is worth explaining here what a virus mutation is and how to understand the concept of SARS-CoV-2 variants. As scientists recall, virus mutations are sudden abrupt changes in its genetic material that occur during the replication process (they are random). Meanwhile, variants “are simply those forms of the virus that accumulate individual mutations” – explained the expert in the field of medical biology and research at the Medical University of Karol Marcinkowski in Poznań, dr hab. Peter of Rome. – Some have no effect on the virus, some are unfavorable for it, and those that benefit it, of course, spread – he explained (after PAP).

Currently, at least four new variants of the coronavirus are causing concern to scientists. “Honestly, we haven’t been sleeping much lately,” admits Dr. Christian Gaebler, a molecular immunologist at Rockefeller University who studies the body’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The first, identified for the first time in the South East of England, is now present in at least 60 countries around the world. His discovery resulted, among others, in decisions to introduce travel restrictions. Others, identified in South Africa and Brazil, did not spread as much, but did catch the attention of geneticists. “And then there was a new strain in California,” writes CNN.

Let’s take a look at these forms of SARS-CoV-2. Why do they worry US scientists?

Coronavirus variants that concern scientists: B.1.1.7 (UK variant)

At the top of the list of American researchers is variant B.1.1.7, the so-called “British” variant. It was first identified in swab samples taken in September 2020. The British Minister of Health announced its detection on December 14.

Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC – an agency of the US federal government that is part of the Department of Health and Human Services) warned that it could accelerate the spread of the pandemic. And indeed, it is estimated that this variant is 50 to 70 percent. more contagious (more people can become infected) than the original coronavirus (it is influenced by changes in the so-called S protein). Gregory Armstrong, head of the CDC’s Advanced Molecular Detection Office, cites some data. So far, out of 100 people who have contact with an infected person, about 11 have been infected, in the case of B.1.1.7 there are 16 of them.

There is also evidence that people infected with variant B.1.1.7 have so-called a higher virus titer – that is, more viruses “multiply” in their bodies. As Gregory Armstrong explains, viruses take over infected cells, turning them into virus factories. More infected cells means more viruses.

Despite the above information, the UK variant does not appear to be causing a more severe COVID-19 course. Armstrong’s observations confirm this. – Does not cause higher rates of hospitalization or mortality. As far as we know, it is transmitted in exactly the same way (as the original coronavirus – ed.) – CNN told. This means that in order to limit its spread, the measures used so far – masks, social distancing, avoiding large groups of people / crowds, frequent washing of hands – will work. It will also be necessary to speed up vaccinations.

Mike Osterholm, head of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, doesn’t believe people will. – I think that within 6 – 8 weeks B.1.1.7 will contribute to the death of more infected people. I hope I am wrong – he emphasized.

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So far, the CDC has information on 120 cases of people infected with B.1.1.7 from 20 US states. However, the agency says that there are probably many more of these people. CNN notes that there are not many laboratories in the United States carrying out the tests needed to identify mutant versions of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus variants that concern scientists: 501Y.V2 (South African variant)

The “African” variant (501.V2 or B.1.351) was detected at the end of December 2020 in South Africa. So far, it has been identified in several countries around the world. It is known that to Great Britain, Botswana, France, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands.

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The South African variant does not appear to cause more severe disease, but like the UK mutation, it is considered potentially more infectious. Compared to B.1.1.7, the RPA form has more physical changes to the structure of the S protein. A mutation called E484K is of particular concern. Associate professor at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in South Africa, Penny Moore, described the mutation as “alarming”. Scientists are concerned that it may reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. E484K is said to be an “escape mutation” because it is suspected that it may be able to escape some vaccine-produced antibodies. Research on this topic is ongoing.

Dr. Michel Nussenzweig of Rockefeller University does not share these concerns. The scientist emphasizes that the human immune system adapts very well to virus mutations and produces hundreds of different antibodies that can attack the coronavirus. – This should reassure people – says the scientist.

Coronavirus variants that concern scientists: Brazilian and Californian

Two more variants of the coronavirus have appeared in Brazil. The first, called P.1., Was identified in subjects in the Brazilian city of Manaus. On January 10, it was detected in Japan in four travelers from Brazil. P.1 is known to also carry the E484K mutation. Option P.2, also first observed in Brazil, caused a wave of anxiety when it was identified in 11 people in the UK last week.

The Brazilian variant differs from those previously emerged in England and South Africa, but shares some of the same key mutations. These mutations allow the virus to enter human cells more easily and therefore make it more contagious.

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A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 has also appeared in California. It was called the L425R. The California variant is common, but it is not yet known if it is more infectious, although the California Department of Public Health says the variant is “increasingly” appearing in the state.

In the opinion of Gregory Armstrong, the United States is currently struggling with so-called genomic surveillance. – We do not have supervision based on gold standard sequencing, as is the case in Great Britain – the scientist notes. This may explain why the UK noticed B.1.1.7 earlier than the US.

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