Research finds delta mutations in Brazil even with high vaccination rates
3 min readBrazilian researchers published Primary result From the research in which they refer to the identification of two new sublines of delta variable in Sao Paulo. The article was coordinated by scholars from the Putantan Institute. The variant, which originated in India, now accounts for about 95% of COVID-19 infections in Brazil.
“It is interesting how they spread; one thing stands out: we can observe mutations in Corona Virus Even in the vaccinated population with lower case numbers. This needs to be monitored, says researcher Alex Ranieri, of the Bhutantan Center for Scientific Development Laboratory and one of the study’s authors.
In all, to arrive at the result, 492 genetic sequences of the novel coronavirus were analyzed, most of which were obtained in the São Paulo metropolitan area.
According to the study, the sublines (AY.43.1 and AY.43.2) must have originated in Brazil, more specifically in São Paulo.
“Further studies are needed to investigate the prevalence of these two subspecies in Brazil, but preliminary results show that most of the sequences originated from the city of São Paulo,” says the article, which is in pre-print, i.e. awaiting review by other scientists for the final publication. .
What has changed in Delta
In one underline found, scientists found two new mutations. The article states, “To our knowledge, the effect of these mutations is unknown.”
According to Alex Ranieri, as the virus continues to mutate, it is normal that some of the changes that have been found are still outside the world literature.
“No effect study has been done yet,” he explains. “Because these things are showing up so quickly and lab trials take time, it’s possible they’re already studying, but the result hasn’t been announced yet.”
One piece of data that also caught attention was a similar mutation found by researchers in Chile. “There is a related strain identified there. This virus [originário] He came from Europe here and here and he suffered from these mutations similar to the ones in Chile, which indicates a tendency for this variant in the delta,” he explains.
In the case of the second underline, another fact aroused the interest of scientists. “The other one had an adverse effect mutation, that is, it was detrimental to it,” he says.
He explains that according to the analyzes, these sublines have been trading since August. For him, at first, there is no concern that they will change the course of the epidemic in the country or “keep” the vaccines.
“They were mutations in the proteins associated with viral replication, not related to immune escape. These mutations are from the virus trying to be more transmissible. It has nothing to do with changing the form of the disease,” he says.
However, for him, such discoveries serve as a warning for the country to continue implementing genetic monitoring to detect changes in SARS-CoV-2 in real time. “These branch lines are in a larger downward trend,
In conclusion, the researchers argue that monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 genome is critical.
The data obtained demonstrate the importance of genetic monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 to identify emerging strains. This is particularly important because emerging strains can have a significant impact on public health systems due to increased infection and transmission.”
Excerpts from a scientific article
“Through this approach, we can timely detect the presence of novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 and implement strategies to prevent their spread, which may have additional implications for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and public health policy,” the text ends.
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