Coronavirus: Lambda variant circulating in country is more contagious and can escape antibodies

The variant Lambda of coronavirus, originating in Peru and having affected the president last April Alberto Fernandez, It is “more contagious“And can escape neutralizing antibodies,” revealed a scientific work published this Thursday on the portal bioRxiv.

The study, titled “Evolution and Epidemiology of the Lambda Variant”, also known as C.37, was Made in Japan, as reported by the Russian site RT.

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This strain, which was originally called Andina, was first detected in Peru last august. Since spread over thirty countries, including Argentina. Alberto Fernández tested positive for Covid-19 last April and subsequent analysis revealed that it was this variant of the virus. It is the second most prevalent in the country, behind the Manaus (Gamma) and ahead of the British (Alpha).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified this strain as “a variant of interest“Last June, when the world became increasingly concerned about the Delta variant, which was first detected in India and then hit Europe, setting off alarm around the world.

What the study says

The new scientific study, cited by RT, suggests that the protein peak of this strain is “more infectious”. This characteristic is attributed to two mutations: T76I Yes L452Q, the appearance of which changed the nature of the adhesion of the virus to the ACE2 cell receptor.

In addition, this strain is suspected of infecting cells as actively as the Delta variant, considered one of the most contagious.

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According to the work, another Lambda mutation, called RSYLTPGD246-253N, It is “Responsible for the escape of neutralizing antibodies.”

This mutation is described in the Japanese study as “unique”.

Scientists have said that to neutralize this variant about 1.5 times more antibodies are needed than for other strains. This is due, they continued, to the disappearance of a large part of the genome which codes for the N-terminal domain, where the spike protein is fixed, responsible for entry into the cell.

Researchers believe that the appearance of the RSYLTPGD246-253N mutation is “Closely linked to mass propagation” of Lambda in South America.

This strain first appeared in Peru and quickly moved to neighboring countries, such as Chile. In Argentina, it has started to circulate in recent months.

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The study of Japanese scientists known on Thursday was not yet contrasted by their peers, but alerted the international community, which is now more focused on the Delta variant. In Argentina, the Lambda strain is considered community circulation.

The situation in Argentina

According to the latest SARS CoV-2 genomic surveillance report from the Ministry of Health, the circulation of the Gamma coronavirus variant, also known as Manaus, is prevalent today throughout Argentina.

The data recorded by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INEI) of Anlis-Malbrán, establish that, according to the 1077 samples of people with no travel history to an international destination, the most common variants in all regions of the country are : Manaus (Gamma) with 41%; Andina (Lambda) with 37% and the British (Alpha) with 14%.

The analysis indicated that nationwide of the total (of sequenced samples) about 52% correspond to variants of concern.