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Is Delta or B.1.617.2 a COVID-19 Variant, See Details Here

Date - 15th Jun 2021

The new COVID-19 variant evolved from the highly portable Delta variant or B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 and formed the Delta Plus variant or AY.1. The new Delta Plus variant has proven resistant to the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody cocktail. The delta or variant B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in India in October 2020 and was declared a worrying variant by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 11, 2021.

What is the Delta Plus ?

Delta Plus or AY.1 is one of the emerging Delta options or Option B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2. “The new variant is characterized by the acquisition of the K417N mutation,” said Vinod Scaria, a clinician and scientist at the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) Delhi. The K417N mutant is found in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The spike protein makes it possible for the virus to enter human cells.

So far, 63 delta genomes (B.1.617.2) with the new K417N mutation have been identified as part of the GISAID global scientific initiative, according to the UK Department of Health. In the latest report, dated June 7, the Delta plus variant was found in six genomes from India.

 “The frequency of variants of the K417N mutation in India is currently low. The sequences are mostly from Asia, America and Europe. "

Why is Delta or B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 a concern?

The delta or variant B.1.617.2 SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in India in October 2020 and was declared a worrying variant by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 May 2021. SARS-CoV-2 was found 60 percent more common than the Alpha or B.1.1.7 variants, which were first discovered in the UK. The transmission rate of Delta infection is relatively higher, ranging from 4.5 to 11.5 days.

The Delta variant or B.1.617.2 was found to be largely responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases during the second wave in India. Delta plus or AY.1 variant found to evade monoclonal antibody treatment

The new Delta Plus variant has proven resistant to the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody cocktail. Mr Scaria noted that there is evidence of resistance of the K417N mutation to the monoclonal antibodies Kazirivimab and Imdevimab. A cocktail with monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 recently received emergency use in India from the Central Organization for the Control of Medicines Standards.

Mr Scaria also explained that monoclonal antibodies are artificially created in the laboratory to act as antibodies to fight the virus. Monoclonal antibodies Kazirivimab and Imdevimab are aimed at neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and blocking the penetration of the virus into human cells. However, the K417N mutation in the new variant was found with the ability to avoid the immune response.

Does avoiding antibody treatment mean a higher virulence of the Delta Plus variant?

Immunologist Vinita Bal, visiting professor at the Indian Institute for Science Education and Research in Pune, said resistance to the antibody cocktail does not indicate a higher virulence or severity of the disease. The blood plasma of fully vaccinated individuals will be tested to study the Delta Plus variant.

 “At the moment, there is no cause for concern about the new variant in India,” the researcher added, “the researcher further added that the blood plasma of fully vaccinated individuals will be tested to study the Delta Plus variant and determine how much it is able to evade the immune system.

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