Omicron XE: How did it originate and what is a recombinant virus?

We have already discussed the BA.1 and . sub-variables BA.2 for novel coronavirusthat emerged from omicron. This dance of viral reproduction around the world has resulted in two new types of “little animals”, which unite parts of different variants: deltacroneand the merger between delta and micron and more recently X and, A combination of Bachelor 1 And Bachelor’s degree 2.

variables are considered. recombinant. That is, they arise from the joint infection of two subtypes of the virus in one person. Within human cells, they influence this fusion.

Remember that the virus only has a chance to create a mutation when it infects someone’s body. When it enters cells, it uses the structures there to create copies of itself. With each copy an error may occur in the genetic material, a leap.

By accumulating many errors and passing these mutations to the next copies, a variant emerges. In the case of Deltacron and XE, what happened is a mixture of two types infecting the same cells.

+ Read also: Deltacron: the new variant in the air and the ‘genus’ of viruses

“Recombinant may or may not be an evolutionary leap. While a common variant consists of bits and pieces of an original virus, a recombinant is the splicing of entire genomes. But this does not necessarily lead to such a huge gain for the virus, because it can take on properties that together they do not confer Lots of power,” explains virologist Fernando Spielke, professor at University of Vevel.

It is not unique to the coronavirus. Other pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus it’s the fluShe also has this ability.

How concerned is this recombinant virus?

The deltacrone, the first recombinant mutant, worried specialists because it combined delta, which has caused more severe cases, with the micron, which is more transmissible. But so far, it has not gained worldwide stature. Only more isolated cases have been reported.

On the other hand, XE has a strong relationship with BA.2, which is growing exponentially in Europe and the United States. “Like XE has much more features than BA.2which prevail in these places, it is important that these areas also be alert to the recombinant, Almeida explains.

For this same reason, it remains on the WHO’s list of concerns. British Health Agency (UK Health Security Agency) The latest report on XE was released at the end of March. It was discovered in the UK in January, and cases of the recombinant have been up there since then.

The document informs that concern must come Who have not yet been vaccinated?and that the new alternative should not cause serious cases and hospitalizations for protected persons. But, of course, getting infected is not a good idea at all. Even mild cases of post-Covid syndrome have been reported.

There is still no information about the change in symptoms – which remains similar to a micron: Cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, body aches.

pre-existing Brazil, BA.1 . also prevailedIn theory, XE is unlikely to gain – but, of course, nothing is certain in the world of viruses. According to Fiocruz genome network data, this strain still exists.

In March, 436 genetic tests for Covid-19 were sequenced, and only 0.3% were from BA.2. More than 80% of the samples were from BA.1, and about 17% could not be identified.

+ Read also: Covid-19: Who is BA.2 and what is changing with each new variable

How do you protect us?

Caution is usual: wear masks, especially in high-risk environments, avoid clumps and constantly sanitize your hands. Moreover, it is necessary a test And isolation in the presence of respiratory symptoms.

Sequence of positive tests and tracking number of cases Helps prepare the health system for new changes. “The real concern comes when the rate of transmission of the RT virus exceeds one point,” Almeida warns. If the number exceeds that, it means that the infected person can transmit the virus to more than one person.

Site Covid-19 Analytics, maintained by professors from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) indicates a current transmission rate of 0.7 in Brazil. In the calculation, 100 infected people would infect another 70 people, indicating a tendency to reduce the spread of the virus.

XE is more transmissible than the original viruses (about 10%), but there is no information that it is able to escape from vaccines more easily. To stay protected, just take your injection at the correct time. The problem is that Brazil is still crawling to get the third dose updated.