New Covid Variant Pirola Emerges with Concerns over Vaccine Effectiveness
A new strain of Covid, known as Pirola or BA.2.86, has recently been identified in a patient in the UK, raising concerns among scientists due to its high number of mutations. This variant has already been detected in several countries before reaching the UK, prompting experts to worry about its potential ability to evade immunity from vaccinations or previous infections.
Pirola is a subvariant of the Omicron strain that originated from the BA.2 variant, which caused a significant number of cases at the beginning of 2022. What sets Pirola apart is its spike protein, the part of the virus that enables it to invade human cells. It has more than 30 mutations in this spike protein, which has sparked fears that it may be able to bypass current treatments, vaccines, and natural immunity acquired from previous Covid infections.
Francois Balloux, professor of computational systems biology and director of University College London’s Genetics Institute, describes Pirola as the most noticeable SARS-CoV-2 strain since the emergence of omicron. All of the 30-plus mutations in Pirola are found in the spike protein, which is the target of neutralizing antibodies.
The first detection of Pirola occurred in Denmark on July 24, and since then, additional cases have been confirmed in Israel, South Africa, and the UK. Furthermore, traces of the variant have been found in wastewater in Switzerland and the US. The confirmed case in the UK was identified in an individual with no recent travel history, suggesting potential community transmission.
At this stage, it is still unclear whether Pirola causes different symptoms compared to other Covid variants. The World Health Organization highlights the importance of gathering more data to better understand this new variant and its spread. However, with regard to the severity of illness caused by Pirola, there is currently insufficient information available.
The pressing question remains: will the existing vaccines hold up against Pirola? While it is too early to make definitive statements, the Center for Disease Control in the US has already stated that current tests and treatments seem effective against the new variant. Jesse Bloom, a computational virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, emphasizes that even heavily mutated variants can still be controlled to some extent by the broad mechanisms of immunity triggered by vaccination and previous infections. Bloom suggests that the population’s accumulated immunity from prior exposure may offer some protection against severe disease.
In conclusion, the emergence of the Pirola variant with its high number of mutations has raised concerns about its potential to evade immunity conferred by vaccines and previous infections. Pirola’s spike protein mutations have drawn attention due to their possible impact on the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies. More data on this variant are needed to understand its transmissibility and potential severity. While the effectiveness of current vaccines against Pirola is yet to be fully determined, previous research suggests that existing immunity may provide some level of protection against severe disease. Continuous monitoring and research are crucial in combating the evolving threat posed by new Covid variants.
