Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć from the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University has been studying human and animal coronaviruses for years. In an interview with Medonet, he explains how SARS-CoV-2 differs from other viruses in the same family, and what questions scientists have to answer to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
- What We Don’t Know About Coronavirus – We need to understand why this virus behaves in such a way and not another, why some people are infected asymptomatically, and others symptomatically, why the elderly are more severely affected by the disease, and children are less likely to be infected, what cells it infects and what the consequences are – says Prof. . Throw
- The professor’s team is working on introducing rapid tests. According to the expert, they can be ready in autumn
- The professor also answers the question of whether we can expect a second wave of cases
Aleksandra Lipiec, Medonet: A new type of coronavirus has taken control of us. Why did this happen? Is it because it is more dangerous than other pathogens of similar origin?
Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć, virologist: It is more dangerous, it can already be seen. In humans, we can find four seasonal coronaviruses that cause us colds and not particularly severe diseases of the upper, sometimes lower respiratory system. In contrast, animals have far more coronaviruses. Some cause very serious diseases, such as the FIP virus in cats with a mortality rate of up to 100%. Occasionally, any of these animal viruses will cross the species barrier and appear in humans. And here we are dealing with two issues. Firstly, such a virus may turn out to be more aggressive than our seasonal coronaviruses, secondly, the human immune system has never seen this virus, therefore our entire population is vulnerable to infection. As you can see, such a coronavirus can spread from person to person very efficiently and is difficult to stop.
- Read also: Scientists are looking for the source of the coronavirus. What animal did man get infected?
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus attracts the attention of the whole world, and has also dominated the scientific discourse. Researchers are mobilized as much as possible to learn as much as possible about it. A new publication on the coronavirus is produced every few minutes, and those who follow current reports probably already know more about SARS-CoV-2 than about any other virus. However, we still have many unknowns. What else is left to discover?
We found answers to basic questions. Now we need to find out how to outsmart this virus and where to look for solutions. It is about both the vaccine and the treatment. We need to understand why this virus behaves the way it does and not another, why some people are infected asymptomatically and others symptomatically, why the elderly are more severely affected and children are less affected, what cells it infects and what the consequences are. There are a lot of things we don’t know. We don’t even know what we don’t know yet …
Your team is working on coronavirus tests. What are these tests supposed to look like?
We work, among others over tests. We work with companies that have created a platform for quick tests. The idea behind such tests is that they should immediately answer the question of whether we are infected or not and should be performed outside a specialized laboratory. This will greatly facilitate the diagnosis and allow tests to be carried out even in places that are not medical facilities. But this is the future, something new. At the moment, we are conducting non-commercial diagnostics at the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology. We only support GIS in their efforts to analyze as many samples as possible. In addition, we conduct a whole host of other studies that could lead to new discoveries, such as help in finding potential drug candidates and developing new therapeutic strategies.
When can we expect rapid tests?
Perhaps such tests will be available in the fall-winter season – it is real. But you have to remember that these are research works, development works. We do our best to achieve the assumed effects as soon as possible, but these must be reliable and credible tests.
Does this mean that the coronavirus will still be with us in the fall and winter season?
We do not know for sure.
Are we at risk of a second wave of cases?
The question is whether this first wave will pass when summer comes. If it does, then yes – we are in danger of a second wave.
Could it be that with the second wave the virus will be different, more or less dangerous than it is now?
Maybe. Viruses are changing all the time, it’s perfectly normal. But at the moment there is no indication that he will suddenly become more threatening or gentle.
In the context of the coronavirus, the concept of “mutation” is a constant concern. How to read them?
A mutation is natural variation on a biological level. As we differ, so do viruses. Any virus that arises is different from its “relative” that arose at the same time, although the difference can be subtle. Everyone associates the mutation with science-fiction movies, but it’s just about variability.
For a virologist who understands more, is able to objectively assess the risk, does not panic, it is easier to survive what we all face now?
Each of us faces some challenges, each of us has responsibilities, fears and fears. It is difficult to judge who is easier and who is more difficult. We must all try to survive this. Virologists are doing their best.
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Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.