New COVID-19, BV-1, identified at Texas A&M lab suggests potential antibody resistance

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KTRK) – Scientists at the Texas A&M University global health complex have identified a new variant of COVID-19 virus that could pose a new public health challenge, according to a statement.

So far, the new variant, “BV-1”, has been found in only one case: a person with mild symptoms, according to Texas A&M scientists.

“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 GHRC chief virologist Ben Neuman. This variant combines separately associated genetic markers with rapid spread, severe disease and high resistance to neutralizing antibodies.

The scientists said they felt the need to share it with the public because other labs have shown that neutralizing antibodies are ineffective in controlling other variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1.

“We have not detected any cases of this variant,” Neuman said. “We have not grown or tested this virus in any way. This announcement is based solely on laboratory genetic analysis.”

BV-1 is linked to the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

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“BV” means Brazos Valley, home to Texas A&M and GHRC.

According to a statement, 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 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 on-campus organizations.

Subsequently, the student gave a second sample that gave positive results on March 25, indicating that the variant can cause a long-term infection. A third sample taken on April 9 returned negative and did not reveal any evidence of virus.

The student showed mild, cold-like symptoms in the first few weeks. The symptoms did not completely disappear until April 2.

Neuman said scientists will continue to monitor several cases of the variant.

“Sequencing helps provide an early warning system for new variants,” he said. 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 video above is from a previous story.