Post by alexandria on Dec 14, 2021 5:49:10 GMT 10
Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 evolution in specific geographies may help predict the properties of variants coming from these regions. We mapped neutralization of a SARS-CoV-2 strain that evolved over 6 months from the ancestral virus in a person with advanced HIV disease. Infection was before the emergence of the Beta variant first identified in South Africa, and the Delta variant. We compared early and late evolved virus to the ancestral, Beta, Alpha, and Delta viruses and tested against convalescent plasma from ancestral, Beta, and Delta infections. Early virus was similar to ancestral, whereas late virus was similar to Beta, exhibiting vaccine escape and, despite pre-dating Delta, strong escape of Delta-elicited neutralization. This example is consistent with the notion that variants arising in immune-compromised hosts, including those with advanced HIV disease, may evolve immune escape of vaccines and enhanced escape of Delta immunity, with implications for vaccine breakthrough and reinfections.
Currently, it appears that the virus is spreading faster than it evolves. However, one must temper this observation with the fact that 13 months represents a relatively short time in evolutionary terms. It is possible that if the pandemic persists for a much longer period, we may begin to see additional adaptive mutations that limit the efficacy of available therapies.
The Yin and Yang of SARS-CoV-2 Mutation and Evolution
Are there forces within this world for whom the above was always the plan..?