María Iglesias-Caballero
Virologist at the Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Respiratory Viruses of the National Microbiology Centre - Carlos III Health Institute
What is known about this new variant?
The variant has been detected in Botswana this month and is particularly relevant due to the large number of changes in its spicule. It is related to the increase of cases in South Africa, estimating that 90% of the cases detected by PCR in the province of Gauteng may be due to this variant. According to Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Epidemic Response and Innovation Centre in Durban, in less than two weeks it has become the dominant circulating lineage, displacing the Delta variant, which had been the dominant variant in that province until now.
Does it deserve special attention in your opinion?
The phenotypic characterization of this set of changes in the spicule is very important, since some of them can improve the affinity for the receptor, such as the N440K and S477N changes. Others can have an impact on the activity of neutralizing antibodies, such as the E484A, T478K and Q493K changes. Other can affect the processing of the protein and consequently its transmission, such as the N679K and P681H changes. Therefore, the phenotypic study of this combination of changes is very relevant to know their real impact. Until we have a better set of data, both epidemiological and virological, it would not be very rigorous to make statements about transmission or protection of vaccines, although for those of us who work in surveillance systems, each appearance of a new variant deserves all our attention and work.
In the light of what is known, could it affect the effectiveness of vaccines?
Serological studies are needed to show the impact of this variant on vaccinated persons. Theoretically, this set of changes has the potential to affect the protection conferred by vaccines. In addition, infection with this variant has been described in people vaccinated with a complete regimen by Pfizer, Janssen and Astra Zeneca. The fact is that for the moment the sample studied is small, so we do not have complete information on the matter.