Hyderabad: RT-PCR test is not possible to identify the Omicron sub-lineage (B.1.1.529) BA.2, said the top experts on Wednesday.
Because BA.2 does not have a gene dropout unlike the main sub-lineage of BA.1, it escaped identification through the RT-PCR test, said scientists.
The RT-PCR test will still provide positive results for Covid even if the sample contains BA.2.
To find out the existence of BA.2, someone needs to go for the genome sequencing.
Dr.
Emma Hodcroft, Co-developer of Nextstrain, open-source project to utilize the potential of the scientific and public health of the pathogen genome data, said it was necessary to design a new PCR to identify this sub-genealogy.
“A new set of new sequences related to Omicron has been detected.
We can really detect cases with PCR.
What we can’t say easily is that they are Omicron or Omicron,” he said.
Genealogy can also cause immune avoidance and vaccine breakthrough infections.
Variances can cause immune avoidance, said IGIB scientists comment on the research findings in Omicron, Dr.
Vinod Scariist, Senior Scientist at the Institute of Genomic and Integrative Biology (IGIB) Delhi (IGIB), tweeted that its variant can indeed cause immune avoidance (antibodies).
“(Research study) Stranges with additional clinical / epidemiological evidence in infection and breakthrough infection and what is suggested from a mutational profile and computing analysis,” he posted.
He said the PFIZER vaccine has a better efficacy in hybrid immunity (vaccine plus previous infection).
Lineage Omicron was first identified on November 8, now has divided into two sub-lineage – BA.1 and BA.2.
The new sub-lineage was officially announced on December 7 by the phylogenetic assignment of the global outbreak of the global outbreak (Pangolin), which has assigned nomenclatures on the novel Coronavirus variant under the Pango lineage system.