In the current epidemiological context, Delta continues to be the variant that generates the greatest concern in much of the world. Growing scientific evidence shows how this variant is capable of infecting a greater proportion of not only the unvaccinated population but also those who are immunized.
Why is the Delta variant more contagious?
The explanation that science has found for its rapid expansion capacity points to the fact that people infected with the Delta variant have a higher viral load than those infected with the original version of the coronavirus. Nature collects a study led by Jing Lu, epidemiologist at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China), focused on evaluating the viral load of 62 people infected with the Delta variant.
People infected with the Delta variant had viral loads up to 1,260 times higher than those whose infection was caused by the original strain of the coronavirus.
Experts consider the high viral load recorded and the short incubation period required by the infection caused by the Delta variant. They are the two main engines that have driven its rapid spread throughout the world.
Despite Delta getting much of the attention, other variants are closely watched by the international scientific community and public health authorities.
LAMBDA, POTENTIAL THREAT
On June 14 the who classified Lambda as a “variant of interest.” It was first identified in Peru in August 2020. In addition, it has several relevant mutations compared to the original strain detected in Wuhan (China) in December 2019: L452Q, G75V, T76I, F490S, D614G and T859N.
Information provided by WHO indicates that these mutations are possibly related to increased transmissibility. And it is possible to escape the immune response against other currently circulating variants.
Worry? Lambda can be a potential threat to society “
“Lambda can be a potential threat to society,” Kei Sato, principal investigator at the University of Tokyo and author of a study that warns of its danger, told Reuters.
Which was published in pre-printed form on bioRxiv and awaiting peer review. Laboratory experiments have found three mutations in the Lambda spike protein. These help the virus to resist the neutralization of antibodies induced by the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently being inoculated.
According to Consalud, researchers have discovered that two additional mutations, T76I and L425Q, markedly increase the infective capacity of Lambda. Reasons why the study authors criticize the WHO continuing to classify the Lambda variant as “of interest” and not “of concern”. Which could minimize the perception of risk that it really implies.
The WHO rules out for the moment classifying it as a “variant of concern”. Currently there is evidence of its presence in at least 40 countries, with special incidence in South America, although without becoming dominant.
MONITORING MU
The last variant to generate concern has been baptized as MU (B.1.621, originally detected in Colombia). According to the information provided by the WHO, this variant presents a series of mutations that indicate potential immune escape properties.
Preliminary data presented to the Working Group on Virus Evolution show a reduction in the neutralization capacity of vaccines and those vaccinated. Similar to that observed in the Beta variant, although the WHO advises that this must be confirmed by other studies, as reported in Europa Press.
The WHO has warned that the prevalence of MU is increasing
Although the overall prevalence of the Mu variant among sequenced cases has decreased and is currently below 0.1 percent. The WHO has warned that the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13%) has increased systematically. Cases have been detected in 43 countries.
“The reported prevalence should be interpreted taking into account the sequencing capacity and the timeliness with which the sequences are shared. Which vary from one country to another. More studies are needed to understand the phenotypic and clinical characteristics of this variant ”, has detailed the organism.
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