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Patient with Covid-19 treated at the Oceânico de Niterói hospital, Rio de Janeiro – AFP
Brazilian researchers have discovered a new strain of the new coronavirus circulating in Rio. There is no evidence yet that it could be more transmissible or lethal, but scientists advocate expanding genetic monitoring of the virus to identify the evolution of the pandemic from new strains. .
The new lineage was discovered by researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), a body linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology, from the genetic sequencing of the virus found in 180 patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 between April and November of this year in the state of Rio. The new strain was identified in 38 samples from this group.
The finding was featured in an article published on the LNCC website and submitted to the MedRxiv online platform, so it has not yet been reviewed by other scientists. In the text, the experts explain that the new strain was born from five mutations in line B.1.1.28, one of the predominant ones in the state of Rio. They point out that the occurrence of the new strain may be related to the increase in cases observed in October in the State (which also occurs throughout the country).
“The emergence of this lineage could probably be associated with an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases (called the second wave) in the state. Together with the pre-existing viral strains that circulate in Rio, the second wave can be characterized by the presence of this emerging strain ”, say the scientists.
In the article, the researchers point out that the appearance of new strains is common and that, in most cases, they do not pose greater risks, but they emphasize that additional monitoring and studies are necessary to understand the participation of the strain in infections and her CARACTERISTICS.
“This new lineage emerged in July and was first detected by us in October, and is still partially restricted to the state capital. However, as noted in other strains, it can spread rapidly. The significant increase in the frequency of this strain raises concerns about public health management and the continuing need for genomic surveillance during the second wave of infections ”, the researchers highlight in the article.
In addition to the five new mutations that resulted in the new strain, it also has a change in the virus’s Spike protein, responsible for binding the pathogen to the human cell. This change, seen in other strains around the world, including the one recently identified in the UK, has previously been associated with the “escape of neutralizing antibodies” against the virus, which would hamper the body’s immune response.
“Additional analysis is needed to predict whether changes in these new strains have a significant effect on viral infectivity, host immune response, or severity of disease,” the researchers note in the article.
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