Texas A&M Lab identifies a new COVID-19 variant; The genome suggests potential antibody resistance

Editor’s Note: This article was published through a partnership between Texas A&M University and KSAT. You can too read it at Texas A&M Today.

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, April 19, 2021 – Scientists at the World Health Research Complex (GHRC) at Texas A&M University have identified a variant of the COVID-19 virus – “BV-1” – that could introduce a new public health challenge.

Although they were only found in an individual who had mild systems, Texas A&M scientists decided that they should share information about the variant with scientists around the world.

This is because published experiments based on cell cultures from other laboratories have shown that several neutralizing antibodies are not effective in controlling other variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1.

“We currently do not know the full meaning of this variant, but it has a combination of mutations similar to other variants of concern that can be reported internationally,” said Ben Neuman, the chief virologist at the GHRC. “This variant combines genetic markers associated separately with rapid spread, serious disease, and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”

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“We have not detected any further instances of this variant,” Neuman added. “We have not grown or tested this virus in any way. This announcement is based exclusively on the analysis of genetic sequences performed in the laboratory. “

BV-1 is related to the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19). “BV” means “Brazos Valley,” the region of seven Texas counties where Texas A&M and GHRC are located.

The unique case of BV-1

GHRC first detected BV-1 in a saliva sample extracted from a Texas A&M student as part of the university’s COVID-19 testing program. The sample tested positive for GHRC on March 5th. It was re-tested and confirmed in a federally regulated laboratory at CHI St. Louis Regional Hospital. Joseph. The student resides off-campus, but is active in campus organizations. The student received the general reporting guidelines from Texas A&M.

Later, the student provided a second sample that tested positive on March 25, indicating that the variant may cause a longer-lasting infection than is typical of COVID-19 in 18- to 24-year-old adults. A third sample obtained on April 9 was negative and did not reveal any evidence of virus.

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The student presented with mild cold-like symptoms in early to mid-March that never progressed in severity and resolved completely on April 2nd.

Share vital information, explore the unknown

GHRC scientists have presented a paper on BV-1 at the Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

GHRC also deposited its sequence data in BV-1 with GISAID, the Munich-based scientific 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 among thousands of variants that scientists have found around the world.

Neuman said GHRC will closely monitor to see more cases related to BV-1, given its potentially genetic composition. The research complex has found dozens of SARS-CoV-2 mutations in recent weeks through a specially extended genetic sequencing program.

While many U.S. laboratories limit sequencing to severe cases of COVID-19, Texas A&M is launching a wider network, including asymptomatic students, to find related variants before causing serious illness.

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Neuman said the broader research and exchange of information aims to provide scientists, policy makers and the public with all possible information in ongoing research to limit transmission.

“Sequencing helps provide an early warning system for new variants,” Neuman said. “While we may not yet understand the full meaning of BV-1, the variant highlights the continuing need for rigorous surveillance and genomic testing, including asymptomatic or only mildly young adults.”

About the Global Health Research Complex (GHRC): Headquartered at Texas A&M University, GHRC is a state-of-the-art $ 86 million, 102,000-square-foot, national facility and a basic laboratory that serves as a resource for the entire Texas A&M university system to combat the threats of emerging diseases. GHRC supports and advances multidisciplinary opportunities for research, education, and training of large animal and insect vectors for Texas A&M faculty and their partners at other academic institutions and industry.

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About research at Texas A&M University: As one of the world’s leading research institutions, Texas A&M is at the forefront of making significant contributions to fellowship and discovery, including science and technology. Research conducted at Texas A&M generated annual expenses of more than $ 1.131 billion in fiscal year 2020. Texas A&M ranked among the top 25 in the most recent higher education research and development survey. of the National Science Foundation based on spending more than $ 952 million in 2019 Texas A&M research creates new knowledge that provides basic, fundamental, and applied contributions that lead to economic benefits for the state, the nation and the world. research.tamu.edu

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