Researchers have identified at least 17 cases of infection with a hybrid version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which combines genes from Delta and Omicron variants in the United States and Europe.
A doctor examines a patient suffering from post-Covid-19 syndrome in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo: Reuters)
The lead author of the report, Philippe Colson from the IHU Méditerranée Infection research institute in France, stated that since only a few cases of the hybrid variant between Delta and Omicron, also known as “Deltacron”, have been confirmed, experts cannot yet determine whether this hybrid variant spreads more quickly or causes more severe illness.
Reuters reported in a study published on the scientific data platform medRxiv on March 8 that Colson’s research team has identified three patients in France infected with the “Deltacron” hybrid variant.
Additionally, the genetic research company Helix recently announced that it has identified two cases of Deltacron in the United States.
Notably, other expert groups have reported an additional 12 cases of “Deltacron” infections in Europe since January. This variant possesses the spike protein of Omicron and the backbone of Delta.
The recombination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 in humans occurs when two different variants infect the same host cell.
Philippe Colson further explained: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, two or more variants have circulated together in the same timeframe and geographical area. This creates opportunities for the variants to combine.” He and his colleagues have also designed a PCR testing kit that can quickly detect this hybrid variant.
