The Mu coronavirus strain is starting to spread across the planet, is it worth worrying?

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The Mu coronavirus strain is starting to spread across the planet, is it worth worrying?
The Mu coronavirus strain is starting to spread across the planet, is it worth worrying?
Anonim

One of the newest strains of COVID-19, known as Mu, has already been found in 42 countries. The first studies showed that it is less infectious than the dangerous Delta variant, which has led to high mortality in Russia and other countries. Mu has spread most of all in Colombia, where it was first detected back in January. Here he was responsible for more than a third of all COVID-19 cases. Recall that there were 11 strains of coronavirus before him, respectively, the newest version of Mu became the twelfth in a row. It has been designated as a 'Option of Interest' by WHO, which is one step below the status of 'of concern'. Delta and some other strains had a second, higher status. This suggests that this new option is less dangerous. However, it still raises some concerns as it contains many mutations that could allow it to escape the immune system's response. Accordingly, he may not be susceptible to vaccines, as well as antibodies after an illness.

Is Mu coronavirus dangerous

Most of the genetic sequences show Mu has eight mutations in its spike protein, many of which are also present in other, more dangerous variants of the coronavirus.

Scientists have found that some Mu mutations, such as E484K and N501Y, help other strains escape antibodies from mRNA vaccines. In Beta and Gamma variants, the E484K mutation made viruses more resistant to a single dose of mRNA vaccines. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, has shown that the P681H mutation aids in the transmission of the alpha strain, that is, increases its infectivity. Accordingly, it can perform the same function in the Mu variant.

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Virus mutations in the spike protein can make it more infectious

In addition, Mu has new mutations that were not found in previous strains, so their consequences are not fully understood. For example, a mutation at position 346 disrupts the interaction of antibodies with a spike protein, which scientists say could help the virus hide from the immune system.

The study authors say Mu is twice as contagious as the original SARS-CoV-2. He has already caused a spate of deaths in Bogota in May 2021. This study also suggests that immunity from previous infections is 37 percent less effective in protecting against Mu than other strains. In addition, the virus has proven to be the most vaccine-resistant of all currently recognized strains.

“Right now, we don't have enough evidence that this new variant of Mu is truly immune to the immune system,” says Alfonso Rodriguez-Morales, president of the Columbia Association of Infectious Diseases.

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New coronavirus strain may be more resistant to existing vaccines

Scientists have many reasons to believe that the Mu strain is immune to the antibodies produced by existing vaccines. A laboratory-created virus mimicking the Mu variant was only marginally affected by antibodies from people recovered from COVID-19 or vaccinated by Pfizer Comiranty. In addition, another laboratory study of antibodies from patients immunized with the Pfizer vaccine showed that they were also the least effective against the new strain.

However, COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinovac, which are available in Colombia, still provide protection against Mu, Rodriguez-Morales said. True, how effective they are, he does not say.

How common is the new strain of coronavirus

According to Paul Cardenas, a microbiologist at the University of San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, the Mu variant quickly spread throughout South America. However, it is difficult to say for sure what proportion of infections are due to this virus.

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The most widespread new coronavirus is in South America

According to official figures, only 0.07 percent of infections with the Mu version of the total positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recorded. At the same time, 25 percent of all cases of coronavirus infection in the world occurred in this region. Since the end of February, the number of cases caused by the new virus has been declining in all countries except Colombia.

However, it should be borne in mind that currently there is very little information regarding the spread of the Mu strain and its danger. This is due to the fact that it is mostly found in poor countries where there is no research. In regions with a high level of income, the Delta strain predominates, therefore all efforts of scientists are aimed at studying it as more relevant.

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