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Since viruses are constantly mutating, especially when an organism has a high chance of spreading, since this year not only the scientific world but also the lay public has followed live this year for SARS-CoV-2, it can be vital spread different genetic variants. The research is also revealed in the latest post on the Virology Pécs Facebook page created by virologists from the University of Pécs. In doing so, the researchers are exploring why the spread of the virus that is causing the UK’s southern shutdown is being highlighted not only by researchers, the WHO, but also by governments. Incidentally, the latter has already taken the form of a ban on air and in some cases road and rail traffic from the UK for 10 countries in the last 24 hours.
Virologists say viral mutations are a natural process, with an even more infectious variant, D614G, now becoming dominant across the planet compared to the original Wuhan variant. In addition, there are variants with other properties.
Virologists say that mutations that also affect function are extremely rare,
however, the more infections the virus has, the more diverse and varied the situation, the greater the chances that it will become infected. Mutations that change function always meet the greatest evolutionary need, which may include better spread, better silencing of immune responses, and avoidance of antibodies. So it is understandable that if the virus is in the interest of milder disease, longer infection and greater shedding, it will survive more efficiently and go further, the scientists explained.
This does not mean that mutations that can cause headaches in treatment, vaccination issues or spread cannot occur. Therefore, it is very important to constantly monitor the genetic changes in the virus.
They attracted attention.
What you can know about the new version
Researchers have reported that based on convincing lab results for D614G in recent weeks, it can multiply in the upper respiratory tract, but luckily antibodies to the older variant (which does not yet contain such a mutation) also prevent it.
The worrying development of the new English variant of D614G (the virus is variant B.1.1.7 according to genetic nomenclature) is that in the last ten months, this version has changed so that, in addition to spreading rapidly, it also shows changes .
So far, this version has picked up 8 significant changes, according to the researchers, only in the gene that encodes the spike protein, of which only three have possible effects.
One of these changes is likely to provide a better ability to bind to human cell receptors. Furthermore, there may even be a change in the “deception” of our immune system and the function of accessing cells, experts say.
However, several vaccines have been formulated to block the ability of spike proteins to bind to cells. The main question is whether the acquired immunity to other variants will be affected by the new viral mutation. Until this is revealed and existing vaccines are adapted if necessary, but the precaution is understandable by scientists, healthcare professionals and governments. Which can also be seen in the order of the input restrictions. And the average person is advised to continue to adhere to personal protection measures.
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