Reading time is 9 mins
.
.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COVID-19 VARIANTS?
Britain, Brazil, South Africa, California and more… all that is curious about the discovered difference species of the Covid-19 virus is in our news.
Emerging new varieties of Covid-19 have begun to affect almost the entire world in recent months. Many countries are seeing these new types of coronaviruses, and the number of cases and deaths is increasing. All this underlines one fact: SARS-CoV-2 has been mutating since the pandemic began.
Although the words’ mutation ‘and’ variant ‘ are mostly used interchangeably, there are actually some differences between them.
“Mutations are fundamentally typographical changes in the virus’s genome that occur when it makes copies of itself and moves from person to person,” says a geneticist at the University of Washington School of Medicine. In a nutshell, we can call mutations changes in the genetics of the virus.
Variants are the version of the virus that has a certain combination of mutations in its genome. So the new virus that develops with the mutation is called a variant.
Some of these variants are considered and followed as global risk, while others are considered local mutations. Variants that pose a global risk include the variant discovered in the UK, the South African variant and the Brazilian variant. Finally, the World Health Organization (who)announced that the Indian variant has also been included among the globally monitored variants. On the other hand, there are variants such as the New York variant and the California variant that are seen in certain regions in the United States.
Some of these variants have also begun to appear in cases in Turkey. Previously Minister of Health reported that 85 percent of cases in Turkey were caused by the UK variant. “The most common type of mutation in our country at the moment is the UK variant,” was said after a Science Board meeting on April 28. In addition, Brazilian and South African variants were also seen. Finally, the Indian variant was also observed in 5 of our citizens in Istanbul. This variant has been seen for the first time in our country and cases are being followed under isolation,” minister said.
.
Why does Covid-19 mutate?
The new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes Covid-19 disease, was in its original form a great danger to the elderly and those with other side diseases, but now the virus is starting to pose a risk to people who are not vaccinated and younger. News of one mutation after another also raises concerns about how vaccines will be affected by these mutations.
Mutation of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus is not unique to this virus. All viruses change to continue to exist and spread. Some of these changes are minor, while others may become more contagious and dangerous. In other words, the mutation is inherent in the virus, and it is impossible to prevent it. When the virus mutates, the ability of the virus to bind to a cell, enter that cell, and multiply in the cell can be affected.
Even if a person infected with the virus becomes immune to infection, mutated viruses continue to develop. This is why scientists study the genetic codes of the virus to determine how contagious and dangerous mutant viruses are.
A mutation can make a virus more contagious or deadly, as well as cause the opposite effect, but the general opinion on this issue is that increasing transmission of the virus can lead to more deadly consequences. Scientists around the world are conducting studies to confirm the effectiveness of vaccines against these mutant viruses.
So, what are the characteristics of these variants? What are their differences from the original coronavirus and each other? We talk about what is curious about the original version of coronavirus and the variants, about which new information is discovered about them every day.
.
When did China variant show up?
In January 2020, the WHO announced that a mysterious coronavirus-like pneumonia was circulating in Wuhan, China. About a month later, the who gave both the virus (SARS-CoV-2, with its full name Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) and the disease it caused (Covid-19) an official name.
Reports October January 2020, much earlier than the announced date, shows that coronavirus has been in circulation since October 2019.
Countries where cases have been seen: 154 million Covid-19 cases have been reported worldwide since its emergence. This number continues to increase every day. There are a handful of countries in the world where coronavirus has not been transmitted. Many of these countries are also known as island countries.
Vaccine effectiveness: Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine has a 95 percent effect against symptomatic disease.
Moderna vaccine against symptomatic disease is 94.5 percent effective, Novavax vaccine is 89.3 percent effective.
Johnson & Johnson’s has 66 percent effect in preventing symptomatic disease and 85 percent effect in preventing severe disease,
The Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine, on the other hand, has a 70 percent effect against symptomatic disease.
The effectiveness rate of the” Sputnik V ” vaccine was announced as 97.6 percent.
.
When did British variant show up?
The British variant, which has spread almost all over the world and has been seen in 85 out of a hundred cases in our country, was first identified in the UK late last year.
Countries where cases were observed: B.The 1.1.7 variant has been seen in more than 80 countries to date. The first British case variant in the United States was reported on December 30, followed by detection in 42 states. This variant is quite dominant in Turkey. In our country, this virus was also detected in 81 provinces.
What do you know about?
The UK variant is spreading faster than other variants. This led to an increase in cases in the UK during the winter months, despite strict measures being implemented. Experts say the transmission rate of the UK variant is about 50 per cent higher than the non-mutant virus.
At first, the paramedics, B.They did not believe that 1.1.7 was more likely to cause serious illness or death than the original SARS-CoV-2. But as a result of the new assessments, it is believed that this variant could be more deadly than the original coronavirus. Although there are no large-scale epidemiological studies supporting this hypothesis, some data on the subject supports this view. But a general consensus on this issue has not yet been reached.
Vaccine effectiveness: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both B.It seems to provide good protection against 1.1.7. Both companies are working on boosters to address current and future mutations.
The researchers found that Novavax, Johnson & Johnson and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines were also used.He says it’s pretty good protection against 1.1.7.
“Of all the vaccines currently in use in the world, Sputnik V has been shown to be the best at neutralizing the best ‘British’ variant,” says director of Gamaleya Epidemiology and Microbiology Research Institute, which developed Sputnik V.
.
When did South Africa variant show up?
B.The South African variant, with 1.351 other names, was first described in South Africa in October. This variant, which began to spread rapidly after being seen in South Africa, has also been identified in our country. According to the latest data shared by Health Minister in Turkey, the South African variant was seen in 285 people in 11 provinces in Turkey.
Countries where cases have been seen: the South African variant has been detected in 24 countries so far.
What do you know about?
This variant shares certain mutations with the species that originated in the UK, and the virus is known to be 50 per cent more contagious than it was in its original state. Although it is said to increase the rates of severe illness and death, there is no complete data yet at this point.
Experts B.They pay particular attention to 1,351 because clinical trials suggest that vaccines currently available or under development may not be as effective in protecting against this variant as they are against other species.
There is also some preliminary evidence that some treatments for this variant may not work. “The monoclonal antibodies we use as treatments may be less effective against this,” experts say.
Vaccine effectiveness: initial data shows that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been tested in the United States.It suggests it may be less effective against 1,351 but both still provide good protection.
The Novavax vaccine provides about 60 percent protection against this variant, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine provides 57 percent protection according to available data. There is not enough data yet to say about the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine.
Director of the Gamaleya Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology Research, said the antibody response to the South African variant of the Sputnik v vaccine was less intense but showed higher effectiveness than other vaccines.
.
When did Brazil variant show up?
P.1 variant was first identified in four people traveling from Brazil, the Amazon region, to Japan. This variant is thought to have begun circulating in Brazil around October.
Cases: this variant, found primarily in Brazil, has also been seen in the U.S. states of Alaska, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota and Oklahoma. P.1 was detected in several other countries, including Japan.
What do you know about?
The Brazilian variant is among three new virus varieties accepted in the world. The resulting research results on this variant suggest that some of its mutations may affect the rate of contagion, and that these mutations may also affect antibodies produced in people who have had Covid-19 infection. In other words, it is unclear whether the immunity gained against the original virus protects from this variant.
Vaccine effectiveness:There is not much information yet on how it acts against 1.
.
When did India variant show up?
It’s Officially B.The ‘double mutant’ variant, known as 1.617, was first detected in India in October.
January-March in the western state of Maharashtra, 220 of the 361 Kovid-19 Tests that were collected showed this variant. The ‘double mutant’, seen in the US State of California after India, has also been spotted in the UK. There have been 103 such cases identified in the UK since 22 February. According to the latest WHO data, the Indian variant has been seen in 44 countries in 6 epidemiological regions. Many of these are thought to be related to international travel.
What do you know about?
B.The 1.617 variant worries experts as it contains two mutations in the spike protein that have been suggested may increase the body’s ability to evade the immune response. “A double mutation can lead to the virus escaping from the immune system and becoming more contagious,” said a virologist with the Indian Ministry of Health, who explained that the double mutant is “two mutations that come together in the same virus.” But officials do not yet know whether this variant is more contagious, while it is still being investigated if it is not linked to the increase in cases in India.
Vaccine effectiveness: B.There is no information yet on how it acts against 1,617 double mutants.
.
When did New York variant show up?
This variant first began to be identified in samples in November.
Countries where cases have been seen: this variant has so far only been seen in the US, especially in New York City. Research on this new variant is just the beginning.
What do you know about?
In fact, not much information has been found so far about the New York variant. There are currently two studies on this variant, but these studies have not yet been subject to peer review. The New York variant does not yet count as one of the global variants being followed by groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccine effectiveness: preliminary data show that this new variant carries an alarming mutation that could undermine the effectiveness of vaccines, according to a report in the New York Times. But at this point, it’s really too early to be certain.
.
When did California variant show up?
January-September-January: preliminary studies show that this variant began circulating sometime between September and January.
Countries seen in case: USA-California.
What do you know about?
Like the variant identified in New York, the variant discovered in California is fairly new to researchers. Most of the data on it is quite initial.
Vaccine effectiveness: currently, vaccines are not available.1,427 / B.There is not much information on how it acts against the 1.429 variant. But virologist of the University of California says, “if we can vaccinate enough people, we will win against the virus, and we can also deal with these new variants.”
.
What does all this mean?
Scientists have one thing in common: we will get rid of this virus with a vaccine. Experts are advising people to get every Covid-19 vaccine they can find, rather than waiting for a vaccine they believe could be more effective against the variants.
In addition, what we need to do to protect against variants is actually not very different from the ways of protecting against the original coronavirus; wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and paying attention to hygiene.
A geneticist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said: “it’s terrible to hear there’s a variant, it’s true. But I think the only way to prevent the emergence of variants would be to reduce the overall number of cases, the transmission, and ultimately the opportunities given to this virus to accumulate mutations,” was said.
.
.
.
Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.