A Stanford team of researchers has identified the tribe that originated in India.
The Stanford doctor who runs the laboratory that has just identified the “double mutant” variant, Dr. Benjamin Pinsky, has joined ABC7’s program Getting Answers.
First describe when and how your team caused this particular tension?
“We are investigating all positive aspects obtained by the Stanford Clinical Virology Laboratory for mutations associated with worrying variants,” said Dr. Pinsky. “So we initially identified it through the process, using R2PCR, similar to what we do for standard diagnoses of COVID-19. So far, we have followed up one case and confirmed that it was in fact one of these dual mutant variants. recently identified from India. ‘
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Why is this variant called a double mutant?
“It has two somewhat well-described mutations,” said Dr. Pinsky said. “In the ear protein of the virus, it includes the L452R mutation, which occurs in the California variant, and then it has a mutation in another position, E484, which occurs in the South African and Brazilian variant. “
Is it more dangerous? More transferable?
“We do not yet know it completely, although these mutations I have been talking about are accompanied by increased transmissibility,” said Dr. Pinsky said. “In India, this new variant is 15 to 20% of cases in one specific state.”
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Do you know if the current vaccines will be effective against it?
“I do not think we know whether the vaccines will be less effective against this variant,” said Dr. Pinsky said. “We do have information on experiments on the individual mutations that suggest that antibodies will be less able to neutralize this Indian variant.”
Despite the uncertainty about the consequences of these new variants, dr. Pinsky continues to appeal to the public to be vaccinated.
“It is important to note that the vaccines are very effective in preventing serious diseases, so everyone should continue to be vaccinated as soon as possible,” Pinsky said.
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