LUCKNOW: Nine of 10 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in Uttar Pradesh during the second wave could have been infested with the Delta variant.
The finding was officially released during a presentation made by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) on Friday.
A conglomerate of 28 laboratories brought together by the Union health minister and department of biotechnology with the Council for Scientific Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, INSACOG was formed in January 2020 to monitor genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2.
It also works to correlate whole genomics sequencing data with clinical/epidemiological data for advance preparedness for public health interventions and better understanding of disease transmission, clinical severity, re-infections/immune escape, vaccine efficacy and available diagnostics tests.
The INSACOG data sheet for Indian states indicated that of 355 samples from UP, 327 were of Delta type while the remaining 27 were of alpha type (associated with first wave).
INSACOG is of the view that lack of adherence to appropriate Covid-19 behaviour aids and accelerates viral mutation through random replication and immune pressure of the virus besides strengthening it in general.
In fact, this is what is being seen as the reason for growth and mass spread of Delta variant.
“Mutations act in advantage of the virus and impact human health.
The outcomes include clustering of infections, increased transmission, immune escape capability, neutralization escape from monoclonals, improved binding to lung cells and increased severity of infection,” explained a microbiologist at SGPGI.
On what makes Delta a variant of concern, experts said that variants are characterised by mutations or alterations in the virus’s genetic material.
An RNA virus, such as SARS-CoV-2, is made of about 30,000 base pairs of amino acids, placed like bricks next to each other.
An alteration in any of these pairs causes a mutation, effectively changing the shape and behaviour of the virus.
Delta variant contains multiple mutations in the spike protein and at least four mutations have been identified.
Viral mutations alter behaviours which appear as changes in disease presentation, making diagnosis tougher.
Besides having an impact on diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, the mutated strain of Delta is known for increased transmissibility, stronger binding to the receptors of the lung cells, potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response and potential post- vaccination immune escape, explained an MHA official.
Experts, however, believe that data is too limited to speak with confidence for a state like Uttar Pradesh.