After South Africa, Brazil, after Brazil, Nigeria, and finally India, a subcontinent with a very high population density. Wherever Sars-CoV-2 (the virus causing the disease called Covid-19) starts running, new variants emerge, replacing those already present for some time. But why do all of these variants, with the exception of the Kent variant (the so-called English variant), emerge and spread so quickly especially in relatively depressed and densely populated areas of the globe? The easy to understand answer.
Mutant strains
In those countries, the demographic conditions and promiscuity, overcrowding, the behavior of individuals and the lack of resources mean that viral circulation tends to be particularly fast, and the virus making mistakes during the reproduction process, sooner or later tends to give life to mutant strains that are found to have better fitness, or to transmit themselves better, so they become predominant. a process that fully responds to the laws of evolution. Some of these mutant viruses, in addition to showing greater transmissibility, may present partial resistance to some monoclonals and vaccines.
The Indian variant
Almost all of these mutations involve la proteina spike, through which the virus attaches itself to the cells of the human host, which then the one against which the antibodies that form as a result of a natural infection or vaccination are directed. At first, these variants are classified with VUI (i.e. variant under investigation) then, when evidence of their greater danger is acquired, they are classified by a special committee of WHO experts as variant of concern (VOC), i.e. variants of concern. The latest variant under close observation, not only in India, where it emerged, but also in the United Kingdom, where several cases have arrived. the Indian variant B.1.617, which we have detected up to now in rare imported cases.
Facilitate access to vaccines
The variants currently circulating in Europe have given problems but, with more or less restrictive measures and with the vaccines currently available, we have managed to contain them. The virus could further mutate and necessitate the adaptation of vaccines and their large-scale production. this is why we must facilitate access to vaccines in resource-poor countries, finding ways to increase their production. In short, giving a hand to those in need we would do ourselves a pleasure, based on a healthy principle of selfless altruism.
May 9, 2021 (change May 9, 2021 | 20:35)
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