Texas A&M Lab identifies the new COVID-19 variant; The genome suggests potential antibody resistance

Editor’s note: This article was published through a partnership between Texas A&M University and KSAT. You can too read Texas A&M Today.

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, April 19, 2021 – Scientists at the Global Health Research Complex (GHRC) at Texas A&M University have identified a variant of COVID-19 virus – “BV-1” – that could pose a new challenge for public health.

Although they are found in a single person who had only light systems, Texas A&M scientists have decided that they should share information about the variant of scientists around the world.

This is because experiments published on cell culture in other laboratories have shown that several neutralizing antibodies are ineffective in controlling other variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1.

“Currently we do not know the full significance of this variant, but it has a combination of mutations similar to other variants of concern that can be reported internationally,” said Ben Neuman, chief physician of the GHRC. This variant combines separately associated genetic markers with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.

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“We have not detected any cases of this variant,” Neuman added. “I did not grow or test this virus in any way. This announcement is based exclusively on the analysis of the genetic sequence performed in the laboratory. ”

BV-1 is related to SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom (UK) (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19). “BV” means “Brazos Valley”, the region of seven counties in Texas, where Texas A&M and GHRC are located.

The only case of BV-1

GHRC first detected BV-1 in a saliva sample taken from a Texas A&M student as part of the university’s COVID-19 testing program. The sample tested positive at GHRC on March 5th. It was re-tested and confirmed at a federally regulated laboratory at CHI St. Joseph Regional Hospital. The student lives off-campus, but is active in campus organizations. The student was provided with general Texas A&M reporting guidelines.

Subsequently, the student provided a second sample that tested positive on March 25, indicating that the variant may cause a longer-lasting infection than is typical of COVID-19 for adults aged 18 to 24 years. A third sample obtained on April 9 was negative and showed no evidence of virus.

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The student presented with mild cold-like symptoms in early to mid-March, which never progressed in severity and were completely resolved by April 2.

Sharing vital information, probing the unknown

GHRC scientists presented a paper on BV-1 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

GHRC also submitted its sequential data on BV-1 with GISAID, the Munich science initiative, which collects SARS-CoV-2 sequences from around the world. The official name of the BV-1 variant is hCoV-19 / USA / TX-GHRC-BV1-EQ4526591 / 2021. It is among the thousands of variants that scientists have found all over the world.

Neuman said the GHRC will closely monitor several cases involving BV-1, given its potential genetic aspect. The research complex has discovered dozens of SARS-CoV-2 mutations in recent weeks through a widespread genetic sequencing program.

While many US laboratories limit sequencing to severe cases of COVID-19, Texas A&M is launching a wider network, including asymptomatic students, to find variants of them before they cause serious illness.

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Neuman said the wider investigation and exchange of information aims to provide scientists, public health decision-makers and the public with as much information as possible in an ongoing attempt to limit transmission.

“Sequencing helps provide an early warning system for new variants,” Neuman said. Although we may not yet understand the full significance of BV-1, the variant highlights a continuing need for rigorous surveillance and genomic testing, including among young adults with no symptoms or only mild symptoms.

About the Global Health Research Complex (GHRC): Located at Texas A&M University, GHRC has a $ 86 million, state-of-the-art, 102,000-square-foot facility nationwide and a core laboratory that serves as a resource for the entire Texas A&M university system to combat emerging threats. of diseases. GHRC supports and advances multi-disciplinary research, education and training opportunities for large animals and insects for Texas A&M professors and their partners in other academic and industry institutions.

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About research at the University of Texas A&M: As one of the world’s leading research institutions, Texas A&M is at the forefront of significant research and discovery contributions, including science and technology. Research conducted at Texas A&M generated annual expenditures of over $ 1.131 billion in fiscal year 2020. Texas A&M ranked in the top 25 of the National Science Foundation’s latest research and development survey in higher education based on expenditures of over 952 million dollars in fiscal year 2019 Texas A&M research creates new knowledge that provides basic, fundamental, and applied contributions, resulting in economic benefits for the state, nation, and world. research.tamu.edu

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