Seven COVID lineages with the same mutation detected in the US, which concern scientists

03:06 GMT 15.02.2021Get a short URL

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In recent months, several new COVID strains have emerged, especially from the United Kingdom and South Africa, making coronavirus infection more contagious and raising new concerns about vaccine efficacy and restrictions in many countries. .

According to a study published Sunday, scientists have discovered a number of new coronavirus lineages that appear to be subject to a similar mutation in the United States.

The research team has indicated seven lineages that all obtained a mutation at the same site in their genes, raising concerns about whether the mutation may affect the level of coronavirus infection.

“Independent genomic surveillance programs based in New Mexico and Louisiana simultaneously detected the rapid increase in numerous 20G clade infections (lineage B.1.2) leading to Q677P to S replacement. [spike protein]”, said the study summary.

There is no clear evidence that the mutation could affect how COVID-19 spreads among people, but Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at the Louisiana State University Center for Health Sciences and co-author of the new study, suggests, quoted by The New York Times, that “something is clearly happening with this mutation.”

“I think there’s a clear signature of an evolutionary benefit,” Dr. Kamil.

It was also suggested that the mutation could affect the way the virus enters human cells, although researchers have stated that additional experimental data are needed.

In recent months, several new strains of coronavirus have been detected around the world, especially in the UK and South Africa, known to be more contagious.

While it is ultimately unclear what impact the new variants will have on the pandemic, Rospotrebnadzor, a watchdog for Russian consumer rights, announced on Sunday that a first test system for the UK variant has been registered in the country. .

“The new technology can be used to develop reagents to detect any other SARS-CoV-2 mutations, as well as other infectious pathogens where rapid mass testing (pandemic infections) is required,” Rospotrebnadzor said.