Scientists believe that a Covid variant discovered in Indonesia may be the most mutated version of the virus ever recorded. This variant, a morphed version of Delta, has 113 unique mutations, with 37 of them affecting the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to attach to human cells. In comparison, the Omicron variant carries around 50 mutations. Virus-trackers have labeled this unnamed strain as the most extreme variant they have ever seen.
Although this mutated variant of the Delta variant has been identified, there is currently no evidence to suggest that it will become dominant or pose a significant threat. Even if it were to spread, top experts emphasize that it would not lead to the world needing another lockdown. The variant was detected in a patient with chronic infection, where the individual experiences an extended infection that can last for months. Chronic infections typically occur in patients with compromised immune systems, such as those with AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, making them less able to fight off the virus effectively. These types of infections raise concerns among scientists because they create favorable conditions for the virus to mutate, potentially allowing it to evade the body’s natural immunity or immunity from vaccines. Mutations in the spike protein, like those seen in this newly-observed variant, are of particular concern because Covid vaccines target this specific region of the virus.
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, acknowledges that it is unclear if this newly-discovered variant has the potential to infect others. It would need to outcompete other variants currently in circulation, such as descendants of the Omicron variant, in order to become established. However, the biggest concern is the emergence of new variants like this one, which could go unnoticed if genetic surveillance and analysis are scaled back. Professor Young warns against complacency and emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring to detect and respond to potential threats.
Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, describes this variant as unusually mutated due to the chronic infection it originated from. Chronic infections increase the likelihood of the virus adapting to evade pre-existing immunity. However, such extended mutation comes at a cost for the virus itself, as it may hamper its ability to replicate and proliferate effectively. Therefore, the overall risk posed by such a highly mutated variant remains low.
It is important to note that while these samples provide insights into how the virus is evolving, they have limited usefulness in determining their societal threat. Instead of focusing on individual super-mutant strains, experts suggest a more significant concern would be a sudden rise in cases of any Covid variant. Monitoring for a rapid increase in the frequency of a particular variant should serve as a warning sign.
Details about the patient from whom the sample was collected, including their current health status, age, and sex, have not been disclosed. The variant was initially brought to attention by online Covid variant tracker Ryan Hisner and later flagged by US virologist Marc Johnson from the University of Missouri.
Many countries, including the UK, have reduced their Covid analysis efforts as the pandemic has subsided. However, experts warn that this scaling back of surveillance leaves nations unaware of changes in virus transmission and the emergence of new variants. The most recent data suggests a stabilization of cases with a slow decline in hospitalizations, but it is noted that the reduced community surveillance may not fully reflect the reality of the situation.
The Delta variant, which caused a massive wave of Covid cases and deaths in 2021, has faded into the background as it has been outcompeted by the milder Omicron variant and its descendants.
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