Texas scientists have identified a variant of the coronavirus that could pose a challenge to patients and healthcare professionals trying to treat them.
Texas A&M scientists say that the variant, that called BV-1, has only been found in a person with mild symptoms at this time. It was discovered in a saliva sample from a student taken as part of the university’s ongoing COVID-19 testing program.
However, they considered it important to communicate this to the scientific community because the experiments suggest that antibodies are not effective in controlling variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1.
“We do not currently 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 Texas A & M’s Chief virologist at the World Health Research Complex, Ben Neuman.
“This variant combines genetic markers associated separately with rapid spread, serious disease, and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”
Scientists say the BV-1 variant is related to the coronavirus variant identified in the UK.
The student sample tested positive for COVID-19 on March 5, and then provided a second sample on March 25 that also tested positive. A sample taken on April 9 was negative. Scientists say this 20-day stretch with two positive COVID-19 results may indicate a longer-than-typical infection for this variant.
The student told scientists he had mild “cold-like symptoms” in mid-March and had left in April.
“While we may not yet understand the full significance of BV-1, the variant highlights the continuing need for rigorous surveillance and genomic testing, including asymptomatic or only mildly young adults.” Neuman said.
The Texas A&M lab has found “dozens” of coronavirus mutations in recent weeks, they said, as part of its widespread genetic sequencing program that includes samples from a wide range of students and patients.