01/05/2023 – Equilíbrio e Saúde – 01/05/2023 – SP identifies 1st case of XBB.1.5 variant of XBB.1.5

First case XBB.1.5 variant of coronavirusSo far considered the most widespread WHO (World Health Organization), detected in a sample of the virus in São Paulo.

A sample collected from a 54-year-old patient in Indiadupa (103 kilometers from the capital) on November 9 was sequenced by the Dasa Integrated Health Network this Wednesday (4).

This is the only case identified out of a total of 1,330 Sorted models In November, 33 of them Omicron XBB underlines.

According to Jose Eduardo Levy, a virologist in charge of the network’s genetic surveillance program, despite the only case identified, it may have already spread in the state. “The sample was collected in November and can only be identified now, so there may have already been an increase because of the cycle [das variantes] This omicron underline changes very quickly.”

Dasa said it has already reported the identity of the strain to the São Paulo state health department. Levy said there is a test in the lab that can help identify certain omicron lineages through a technique that probes. Protein genes s (used by the virus to enter cells) which, in these variants, is deleted.

“Previously, we had an association of 100% of samples with this mutation, which was later confirmed as BA.5 in genome sequencing. [variante que possui essa alteração]. “XBB, on the other hand, does not have this change, and we saw that 20% to 30% of samples from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in December showed no change,” he said.

And according to the virologist, there was no significant increase in the rate of positive results or the total number of tests carried out in the last week, but this may change in the next two weeks, and the year may rise when the cases eventually decrease.

XBB.1.5 is a A variant formed by a combination of the two Underlines BA.2. It has a mutation that makes it more efficient at interacting with human cells, making it replicate faster. Hence, its presence in places like America is already dominant compared to others Less transmissible bloodlines (More than 40% of samples are from XBB.1.5).

According to the WHO, it has already been identified in 29 countries, but data is underreported due to the difficulty of sequencing and the decline in testing worldwide.

Last Wednesday (4), epidemiologist and head of the company’s Covid team, Maria Van Kerkov, said that XBB.1.5 is triggering a spark. Warns of the possibility of a new global wave.

“The more rounded this variation is, the more likely it is that we expect new waves of infections around the world, although we still have no indication of the potential severity or the clinical picture,” he said.