Study finds that the new coronavirus variant is potentially resistant to antibodies

Scientists from Texas A&M University have identified a variant of the new coronavirus that may be resistant to antibodies, the university announced in a statement. The strain, BV-1, was found in one person who reported mild symptoms of COVID-19. laboratory tests, research has shown that “the neutralizing antibodies are not effective in controlling other variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1,” the university said. of mutations similar to other internationally notifiable variants of concern, ”said Chief Virologist Ben Neuman, Global Health Research Complex (GHRC). “This variant combines genetic markers separately that are associated with rapid spread, serious diseases and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.” “We have not yet detected any cases of this variant,” he added. We have not grown or tested this virus in any way. This announcement is based only on the genetic sequence analysis done in the laboratory. ‘The genetic makeup of the BV-1 strain is similar to the original variant found in the United Kingdom in September. More than 30 countries have identified cases from the UK. coronavirus variant within their boundaries after the new strain made headlines just before Christmas.

The British variant appears to be more transmissible than the original viral strain, according to research led by the Imperial College of London in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other educational institutions in the UK. The individual who tested positive with the variant was a student at Texas A&M. School officials were notified of the positive test after a saliva sample was taken from the student, as part of the school’s test efforts indicated a positive coronavirus infection. According to the university, the student had mild cold symptoms in March. In light of the discovery, Texas A&M researchers sent their findings to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, as well as to GISAID, a Munich-based scientific initiative aimed at providing information on to share the new coronavirus to scientists around the world. Texas & A researchers plan to dive further into their research to determine if there are more variants within the student population, including investigating possible asymptomatic cases of the disease around campus. “helps to provide an early warning system for new variants,” Neuman said. “Although we do not yet understand the full meaning of BV-1, the variant emphasizes an ongoing need for strict monitoring and genomic testing, too. among young adults with no symptoms or only mild symptoms. “