2024-04-21 10:16:12
In the past, very long cases of infection were known in people whose immune systems were unable to overcome the virus.
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam intend to present the results of their observations at the end of April at the European Association of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona. These cases are also interesting to experts because the coronavirus can mutate strongly in the body of a person who has been sick for such a long time – as a result, there is a risk that variants of the virus will appear that can more easily overcome the immune system of a healthy person.
Scientists in the Netherlands have been testing patient samples to analyze the genetic material of the coronavirus. They identified more than 50 mutations compared to the then-prevalent omicron strain BA.1, including those that allowed the virus to evade immune defenses. In addition, already 21 days after the patient was prescribed a certain medication against the coronavirus, the virus began to show signs of resistance to the drug.
The man eventually died from an exacerbation of one of his co-morbidities. As far as is known, he did not infect other people with the mutated strains.
The researchers note that it is important to closely follow the evolution of the coronavirus in the bodies of people with weak immunity. Because there is a risk that variants will appear and spread in society, which the immune system of healthy people can resist less.
2024-04-21 10:16:12