Researchers at Texas A&M have found a new variant of coronavirus, called BV-1 for the surrounding Brazos Valley area, although many are still unknown, according to a statement released Monday.
The variant was detected in a saliva sample from a single student who had “mild cold-like” symptoms through the school’s testing program, the university said, but gave genetic similarities in the strain with other variants that showed neutralizing power of the antibody. treatments, the researchers wanted to share the news globally. The variant is “linked” to the UKB1.1.7 variant, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now “the most common offspring circulating in the US”
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“We do not currently know the full significance of this variant, but it has a combination of mutations similar to other concerns that can be reported internationally,” said Ben Neuman, chief virologist at Texas A&M University Global Health Research Complex. . release. This variant combines separately associated genetic markers with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.
The student’s sample was positive on March 5, and a second sample on March 25 returned positive again, which the researchers suggest indicates a more lasting infection among young adults. A third sample from April 9 was negative, and the student’s symptoms resolved.
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The student lives off-campus, but is involved in campus organizations, according to the university. Neuman said Texas A&M will closely monitor the cases, given its potential genetic aspect, by sequencing samples from asymptomatic students, to identify variants before they progress to severe disease.
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“Sequencing is helping to provide an early warning system for new variants,” Neuman said in a statement. Although we may not yet understand the full significance of BV-1, the variant highlights the continuing need for rigorous surveillance and genomic testing, including among young adults with no symptoms or only mild symptoms.
The researchers presented their findings to the CDC.