In recent days we have been informed of the discovery of a new mutation of the corona virus. The mutation was discovered in the UK, and the news about it was shrouded in rumors of a better infectivity. In Israel and around the world, many steps are being taken to try and deal with it. So what does such a mutation mean, and is there a need to fear? Bottom line – not so fast.
First, we will understand what a mutation is. A mutation is any change in the genome of an organism that results from a mistake in the replication process, or some damage to the genetic material. In the case of the corona virus, the genetic material is RNA, and in general viruses whose genetic material is RNA accumulate a lot of mutations in a short time. Although corona viruses, relative to other RNA viruses, are considered relatively stable. But still, we must expect that over time, and with the transition between people, the virus will accumulate mutations. Therefore, the very discovery of a virus with a mutation is not surprising in itself. In fact, since the onset of the epidemic, thousands of mutations in viruses around the world have been documented.
In addition, it is important to understand that mutations are quite random, and most have no real meaning, or even impair the virus’ ability to reproduce and infect. What is not random is the natural selection process that actually selects the viruses that are able to reproduce better and spread themselves better. It is important to note that there is not necessarily a link between the lethality of the virus and its ability to spread itself. In fact, a virus that kills its carrier too quickly may miss opportunities for distribution, so it will not be very common.
So what was discovered in the UK? During the autumn, corona viruses were identified in southeastern Britain, characterized by 17 changes and mutations in the genome, one of which, known as N501Y, is found in the corona’s spike protein. Spike protein is the protein that allows the virus to penetrate cells and against which the vaccines that are now available worldwide are supposed to work. It is important to note that this is not a new breed of Corona but a slightly different version of the same breed – SARS-COV-2. This version has been given the light and likable name VUI-202012/01.
This version of the virus seems to have spread fairly quickly, and can now be found in various parts of the UK, with survey tests showing that it is responsible for a significant percentage of infections in the British Isles. This fact and other clues from the field have led scientists and politicians in the UK to declare that this is a more contagious version. British politicians have even blamed the sharp rise in the number of people infected in the British Isles on this mutation, but it is difficult to say whether this is the main reason, rather than removing restrictions and contempt of the public.
Corona in the UK: London enters closure following British mutation (Photo: Reuters)Further support for the idea that this is a mutation that improves the virus’ ability to spread itself comes from South Africa, where a different version of the virus has developed a completely identical mutation – N501Y, independently, and it also spreads relatively quickly. This suggests to us that there is indeed a certain benefit to this mutation, so when it appears randomly in different places, versions of the virus that contain it are better distributed in the environment. But even this is not unequivocal proof that this is a more contagious version. Proof of this needs to be done in an orderly scientific manner and it takes time.
And what does such a mutation mean in terms of disease, epidemic and vaccines? Well – probably not much. While there are such and such reasons to believe that this is a slightly more contagious version, it does not appear to be more violent, and will not cause more mortality among those infected. However, by the time we can vaccinate the majority of the population, more effort may be needed to prevent transmission of the disease – meaning more mask discipline and physical distance and probably the return of some of the limitations, as well as increasing testing and isolation, especially of returnees from abroad.
andSpeaking of the population vaccine – what about vaccines? Does this version have resistance to vaccines that are now given around the world and in Israel? probably not. These vaccines expose the immune system to the complete spike protein. This means that the body produces antibodies against different parts of the protein. Which means that the likelihood of a single mutation, or even multiple mutations, will lightly negate the effectiveness of the vaccine is very low. However, in the long run, we may need to upgrade our vaccine to suit future versions of the virus that may still bother us in the coming years, but another vision for the future.
In conclusion, this is a version of the virus that contains a number of changes in the genome, which may increase its ability to infect and spread, but these changes do not appear to have an effect on the lethality of the virus or on vaccine resistance. It will be interesting to follow up on the matter, but there is no need to worry too much at this point.
The author is a doctoral student in immunology at Ben-Gurion and a member of the “Madat” association.
Brought to publication: Eliav Batito.