COVID-19 Alpha, Beta Variants Now More Infectious, Evasive; Should We Worry?

While India is dealing with the newly identified COVID-19 strain Delta Plus, a new study has discovered that two older variants-Alpha (UK) and Beta (South Africa), are circulating in India with structural changes.

Researchers said current immunizations might be less effective against the Beta version, while a booster may be useful. The findings back up fears that existing covid vaccinations would not be enough to protect against fast-spreading new strains.

Experts published their study, titled "Structural basis for enhanced infectivity and immune evasion of Sars-Cov-2 variants," in Science magazine.

COVID-19 Alpha, Beta Variants Have New Features

According to the latest in a series of structural investigations of the variations' spike protein conducted by Bing Chen at Boston Children's Hospital in the United States, the Alpha and Beta mutants have new features. SciTechDaily said Chen's team also intends to publish the structures of other problematic variants, such as the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), shortly.

The findings of those examinations, which are still ongoing, are expected to be of interest to researchers in India, which is also grappling with the new Delta Plus variant.

All current vaccines target spike proteins present on the surface of the virus and allow the virus to bind to and enter human cells. The latest study, which was published on June 24, compared the spike protein of the original virus to those of Alpha and Beta viruses using cryo-electron microscopy.

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COVID-19 Beta Variant: Now More Immuno-Evasive

The findings show that mutations in the Beta variant alter the morphology of the spike surface at specific points throughout the body. As a result, current vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies cannot bind to the Beta virus, allowing it to bypass the immune system even when patients are vaccinated.

"The mutations make antibodies stimulated by the current vaccine less effective. The Beta variant is somewhat resistant to the current vaccines, and we think a booster with the new genetic sequence can be beneficial for protecting against this variant," Chen said per Eurekalert.

The study also discovered that mutations in the Beta variation reduce the spike's ability to attach to ACE2, implying that this form is less transmissible than the Alpha variant.

COVID-19 Alpha Variant More Infectious

Researchers said per The Weather Channel that the Alpha variant's genetic alteration helps the virus connect better to ACE2 receptors, making it more infectious. However, tests show that antibodies developed by conventional vaccines are still capable of neutralizing this variety.

A variation would have to do three things, according to the researchers, to be considered a more significant threat. Spread more quickly, elude the immune system in vaccinated persons or those who have already been exposed to COVID-19, and cause more severe disease.

The Alpha and Beta varieties, fortunately, do not match all of these characteristics, according to the authors.

According to the findings, the most dangerous combination of such mutations is not yet present in the variants studied.