Texas A&M researchers have found a new coronavirus variant called BV-1 for the surrounding Brazos Valley area, although there are still many unknowns, according to a university statement published Monday.
The variant was detected in a saliva sample of only one student who had symptoms through the school’s test program, but gave the genetic similarities in the strain with other variants that showed that the neutralizing ability of antibodies is reduced. treatments, the researchers wanted to share the news worldwide. The variant is “related” to the UKB1.1.7 variant, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now the “most common sex circulating in the US”
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“We do not currently know the full meaning of this variant, but it does contain a combination of mutations similar to other internationally reportable variants,” Ben Neuman, chief virologist at the Texas A&M University Global Health Research Complex, told the university. release. “This variant combines genetic markers separately that are associated with rapid spread, serious diseases and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.”
The student’s sample was positive on March 5, and a second sample on March 25 came back positive, which according to researchers indicates a long-term infection among young adults. A third sample on April 9 was negative and the student’s symptoms disappeared.
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The student lives outside the campus, but according to the university is involved in organizations on campus. Neuman said Texas A&M will closely monitor cases “given the possible genetic makeup” by sequencing samples from asymptomatic students to detect variants before leading to serious illness.
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“Sequence helps to provide an early warning system for new variants,” Neuman said in the release. “Although we may not yet understand the full meaning of BV-1, the variant emphasizes a continuing need for strict surveillance and genomic testing, even among young adults with no symptoms or only mild symptoms.”
The researchers submitted their findings to the CDC.