This variant has only been found in 5 samples worldwide. However, it is still warned that it may be resistant to the Covid-19 vaccine due to dangerous mutations.
The research was published by a group of experts in Germany in the journal Nature Molecular and Cellular Immunology on October 25. The variant that has raised concerns among the experts is A.30, which had not been reported for several months. The last sample infected with the A.30 variant was reported in May-June.
A.30 has several protein mutations that can resist Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines.
According to Newsweek, the research team noted that A.30 has several protein mutations that can resist Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. One of these is E4848K, which has been repeatedly warned to have the potential to evade antibodies from vaccines and natural immunity.
For comparison, the experts analyzed the Beta (B.1.351) and Eta (B.1.525) variants. These are two variants with the highest levels of neutralizing antibody resistance. Among them, the Beta variant is classified by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern.
Compared to the two variants above, the S protein of A.30 contains 10 amino acid substitutions and 5 deletions. All deleted amino acids are located in regions containing viral antigens that neutralizing antibodies do not target.
Additionally, they discovered that the A.30 variant has the ability to invade most host cells, including the kidneys, liver, and lungs, thanks to the enzyme cathepsin L. Notably, it spreads easily outside the lungs and can resist the Bamlanivimab treatment for Covid-19, but is easily destroyed by the combination of Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab.
A.30 is believed to have originated from Tanzania. According to the GISAID Covid-19 variant monitoring network, there are only 5 reported cases of A.30 globally, including 3 cases in Angola and two others in the UK and Sweden.
Therefore, some observers suggest that this variant may have gone extinct. Contrary to this belief, scientists in Germany assert that the A.30 variant needs to be closely monitored and that rapid countermeasures should be implemented.
