What are the latest data about the strains of the emerging corona virus that causes “Covid-19”, and what are the differences between these strains, and what are their scientific names? Al Jazeera Net provides you with a table that compares the most prominent strains of “Covid-19” that scientists have discovered so far.
The announced World Health Organization on the website of the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean the assignment of simple, easy-to-pronounce and memorable names for the main “strains and variants” (Variants) of the Corona virus that causes “Covid-19”, using letters from the Greek alphabet. Read also Symptoms of the Corona virus .. 33 signs of infection Symptoms of black fungus.. 18 signs of infection Learn about the symptoms of the Indian strain of the Corona virus Side effects of eight types of corona vaccines in one table
There are two groups of breeds:
The first group: the mutants of concern for the Corona virus
These strains of coronavirus are characterized by a single characteristic that is associated with a change in one or more of the following characteristics:
- Increase the transmissibility of the virus or adversely change the epidemiology of “Covid-19”.
- An increase in the virulence of the virus or a change in the clinical manifestations of the disease.
- Decreased effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments.
The mutants of concern for the Corona virus, according to the World Health Organization, as of May 31, 2021, include four strains:
Alpha strain
Previously known as the British dynasty, its names include “B117” (B.1.1.7), “GRY” and “20I/S501WV1” (20I/S:501Y.V1).
The first documented samples are from the UK, September 2020.
Beta سلالة strain
Formerly known as the South African strain, and its names are “B 1351” (B.1.351), “GH/501 YV2” (GH/501Y.V2) and “20H/S501 YV2” (20H/S). :501Y.V2).
The first documented samples are from South Africa, May 2020.
Gamma strain
Previously known as the Brazilian strain, its names include “P1” (P.1), “GR501 YV3” (GR/501Y.V3) and “20G/S501 YV3” (20J/S:501Y). .V3).
The first documented samples are from Brazil, November 2020.
Delta dynasty
Previously known as the Indian strain, its names include “B16172” (B.1.617.2), “G/452R.V3” and “21A/S478K” (21A/S:478K). ).
The first documented samples are from India, October 2020.
The second group: mutants of interest
A strain or mutation of the COVID-19 virus is an interesting mutation if:
- Its genome had mutations with proven or suspected effects on the phenotype when compared to the reference strain.
- If it turns out to cause community transmission, multiple cases or groups of COVID-19 infections.
- If detected in multiple countries.
- If the World Health Organization, in consultation with its working group on the evolution of the virus that causes “Covid-19”, assesses that it is an interesting mutation.
As of May 31, 2021, interesting variants of the Corona virus, according to the World Health Organization, include:
Epsilon dynasty
One of its names is “B.1427/B.1429” (B.1.427/B.1.429), and the first documented samples are from the United States of America, March 2020.
Zeta strain
Its name is P2 (P.2), and the first documented samples are from Brazil, April 2020.
Eta . dynasty
Its names include B1525 (B.1.525), A20/S484K (20A/S484K), and was discovered in multiple countries between December 2020 and March 17, 2021.
Theta dynasty
Its name is B3 (P.3), and the first documented specimens are from the Philippines, January 2021.
Iota dynasty
One of its names is “B1526” (B.1.526), and the first documented samples are from the United States of America, November 2020.
Kappa سلالة dynasty
Its names are B16171 (B.1.617.1), the first documented specimens are from India, October 2020.
Why these names?
The World Health Organization said that these nomenclatures were chosen after extensive consultation and a review of several potential naming systems. For this purpose, WHO convened an expert group of partners from all over the world, which included experts who are part of existing naming systems, experts in the nomenclature and taxonomy of viruses, researchers and national authorities.
Although these scientific names have their advantages, they are difficult to pronounce and remember, and false information or reports are often provided. Therefore, people often name mutations in the places where they are discovered, which leads to stigma and discrimination.
To avoid this, and in order to simplify information directed to the general public, the World Health Organization encourages national authorities, the media and others to adopt these new names. https://www.youtube.com/embed/BAkBYT0SR4c?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=ar&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
What are the mutated strains of corona?
Variants are a version of a virus that includes a group of mutations , that is, changes in its genetic material. The emergence of mutated versions of the virus is not surprising, but rather a natural process, because the virus mutates over time to ensure its survival.
And the British Health Services wrote on its website, “More than 4 thousand mutant of the Corona virus – whose scientific name is “SARS-CoV-2″ – have been identified around the world,” according to what was reported by the French Press Agency.
But the World Health Organization stresses that “most of them have no effect in terms of public health measures.”
Like all viruses, the Corona virus is constantly mutating, and some random mutations allow it to spread further and resist acquired immune systems and vaccines.
In a report published by authors Soline Roy and Tristan Faye say the French newspaper “Lefigaro”, the that the virus is scientifically a genetic material protected by a fatty membrane.
With regard to the Corona virus, this membrane is covered with spicules consisting of 3 identical proteins that enable it to cling to human cells, and then fuse the membranes so that the viral genetic material can penetrate the cell. Subsequently, the virus transforms the cell’s machinery to produce its own protein and reproduce its cells.
But this “reproduction” process is not perfect, as an error regularly slips into the different copies, and most of the time the “variable” virus disappears as quickly as it first appeared, but it succeeds in reproducing and spreading between humans sometimes.
How do dangerous strains develop?
The authors show that this natural process allows the virus to evolve over time. Bruno Canard, director of research at the National Center for Scientific Research, which specializes in corona viruses, explains that “if the virus does not mutate, it is easy to eliminate it very quickly. Likewise, if it undergoes many mutations, it produces a very large number of incomplete and incomplete copies.” capable of multiplying and spreading.
Researchers estimate that the SARS-Cove-2 virus records about two new mutations per month. Based on the original strain that was discovered in China, the virus formed during the last period an evolutionary tree that now contains thousands of branches, but only some of them pose a clear danger.
Scientists’ concerns
The concerns of scientists today focus in particular on the mutations that can occur in the spike, which is concentrated on the surface of the virus. The spike is the virus’s weapon that enables it to penetrate human cells, and it is at the same time its weak point that scientists have exploited to make vaccines, as antibodies in the immune system rush to stick to these spicules and prevent them from entering cells.
The researchers fear two things, the first of which is the emergence of a mutation at the level of the spike that makes the virus more dangerous and more contagious, and the second is that the immune system – which has already received the vaccine – will not recognize this mutation, so it becomes unable to provide the necessary protection for the body and the vaccination becomes ineffective.
For his part, French researcher Etienne Simon Laurier explains that the more intense the spread of the virus, the more mutations will continue to appear, and the great risk is that vaccines will not be effective in addressing new random mutations, which means the epidemic will continue.