The faster-spreading coronavirus strain first detected in the UK does not appear to make vaccines as effective at present but the barriers may need to be adjusted appropriately if more mutations occur over time. , say scientists.
More than 40 countries, including India, have banned travel to and from the UK, a move that several scientists said was necessary despite the rapid spread of the new viral strain, VUI-202012 / 0, found on 21 September.
According to Jeremy Farrar, director of the research charity Wellcome Trust UK, there is currently no indication that the new strain would avoid medications and vaccines.
“However, the change is a reminder of the changing power of the virus, and cannot be denied in the future. It is vital that an emergency is called for, “Farrar said in a statement.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced on Sunday that a rapid rise of SARS-CoV-2 variant with many spike protein mutations has been observed in the UK.
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“Initial modeling results announced by the UK on 19 December suggest that the variance is significantly more flexible than previous circulating changes, with an estimated increase in generation (R) number of 0.4 or more with a higher estimated transmission of up to 70 percent, ”EDC said in a statement.
The R number indicates the expected cases generated directly by one case in a population while it is possible to transmit virus capacity from one person to another.
ECDC said, however, that there is no indication that more infectious infections have been seen in connection with the opposite. The assessment is challenged by the fact that the majority of reported cases in people under 60 are less likely to develop adverse symptoms, he said.
“The new strain of the virus 13 mutations in the spike protein called N501Y mutation is known to spread 70 percent faster than earlier versions of the virus,” said Deepak Sehgal, professor and head of the Department of Life. Sciences, Shiv Nadar University.
N501Y is a mutation. The 501th position in the spike protein amino acid sequence is changed from asparagine, denoted by the letter N, to tyrosine, represented by the letter Y, hence N501Y, scientists explained.
Spike protein is the crown protein of the virus that communicates with human cells to enter and infect.
Sehgal noted that the new variant with the spike protein targeted by the three major vaccines has mutations. The three main vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca.
“However, vaccines produce antibodies against many regions in the spike protein, so it is very likely that one modification of the vaccine would not be as effective,” Sehgal said. PTI.
Over time, as more mutations occur, the vaccine may need to be changed.
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“This happens with seasonal flu, which goes around every year, and the vaccine is changed accordingly,” Sehgal explained. However, the SARS-CoV-2 virus does not circulate as quickly as the flu virus, he said.
Virologist Upasana Ray agreed with Sehgal, noting that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that these mutations could affect the effectiveness of routine vaccine candidates.
“It’s important to remember that we don’t know if this difference is a ‘variable’ serotype,” said Ray, a senior scientist at CSIR-IICB Kolkata. PTI.
She explained that it is not yet known whether the new strain interacts with the host immune system differently compared to other existing changes.
There is still no evidence that this variability alters disease depth, either in terms of mortality or the severity of Covid-19 cases for those who are infected.
She said that virus structural proteins are responsible for binding the virus receptor and receptors in cells, ultimately leading to the entry of the virus within the host cells.
“Thus changes in the structural protein could affect the strength of virus receptor interactions and thus infectivity,” she said.
The researchers said that experimental data suggested that N501Y mutation of the coronavirus was seen to increase infection in mice and lead to increased infection and violence.
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“The threat of mutation in a spike virus can lead to the more rapid introduction of the virus into human cells increasing their infectivity. Only one conversion of an amino acid from asparagine to tyrosine that has made a difference in snoring strengthens their mobility, ”Sehgal said.
One of the most important changes is the N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor through which the virus enters the body.
“Changes in this part of a spike protein could, in theory, make the virus more infectious and spread more easily between humans,” Sehgal said.
The researchers backed the temporary travel bans to and from the UK to stop the spread of the new virus.
ECDC said there were signs that wider issues were happening across the UK, adding that a few cases had been found in other countries as well.
Italy said a citizen who recently traveled to the UK had been positive for the new strain of the virus.
“The strain has also been found in Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Italy. It is absolutely essential to stop traveling in order to spread this new pressure on the world, ”said Sehgal.
“Countries where this virus has not been reported may be the result of a non-test and is therefore unknown. So to find out if the strain is there or has been spread, every country needs to carefully study the circulating viral strains, ”he said.
The new strain was first discovered in the UK in September. In November, around a quarter of cases in London were the new variant. This reached nearly two-thirds of cases in mid-December.