They detect another variant of the coronavirus in the United States that could be more resistant

Scientists from Texas A&M University Global Health Research Complex, USA, identified a variant of COVID-19 -BV-1- that could pose a new public health challenge. Although it has only been found in a single individual with mild symptoms, scientists decided to share information about the variant with organizations and researchers around the world.

So far, cell culture-based experiments published by other labs have shown that several neutralizing antibodies are ineffective in controlling other variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1.

“At present, we do not know the full meaning of this variant, but has a combination of mutations similar to other variants of concern in international notificationSaid virologist Ben Neuman. “This variant combines genetic markers separately associated with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies“.

“We have not detected more cases of this variant”, Neuman added. “We have in no way cultivated or tested this virus. This announcement is based solely on the analysis of the genetic sequence carried out in the laboratory ”. BV-1 is linked to the British variant of the coronavirus. The “BV” stands for “Brazos Valley,” the seven-county area of ​​Texas where the university and research center for scientists is located.

Scientists have detected the BV-1 variant in a saliva sample taken from a college student as part of the university’s ongoing COVID-19 testing program. The sample tested positive on March 5. It was retested and confirmed in a federally regulated laboratory at CHI St.

The student resides off campus, but is active in academic organizations. He later provided a second sample which tested positive on March 25, indicating that The variant can cause a longer lasting infection than typical COVID-19 in adults aged 18 to 24. A third sample obtained on April 9 was negative and revealed no evidence of the virus.

The student presented mild cold-like symptoms from early to mid-March, which did not progress in severity and were fully resolved on April 2. Using the information they gathered, the scientists submitted a paper on BV-1 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They also filed BV-1 sequence data with GISAID, the Munich-based science initiative that collects SARS-CoV-2 sequences from around the world.

The official name of the BV-1 variant is hCoV-19 / USA / TX-GHRC-BV1-EQ4526591 / 2021. It is one of the thousands of variants that scientists have found around the world. Neuman said his research group would keep a close eye on more cases linked to BV-1, given its potentially disturbing genetic makeup. In sample analyzes, they include asymptomatic students to find disturbing variants before they cause serious illness.

“Sequencing helps provide an early warning system for new variants,” Neuman said. “While we may not yet understand the full importance of BV-1, the variant highlights the continued need for rigorous monitoring and genomic testing, even in young adults without symptoms or with mild symptoms. . “

Consulted by Infobae, the virology researcher Alejandra Cappozo, from the National Agricultural Research Institute (INTA), commented: “A mutation appeared in nature that had already been studied in the laboratory by another scientific group. Now, scientists at the Global Health Research Complex at Texas A&M University in the United States have identified a variant of the COVID-19 BV-1 virus and believe it should be investigated. It is good that it is better studied. When we discover changes in the genome that could become important, each research group advises and investigates ”.

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