New recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variant XEK likely to be the next predominant strain by late Winter, superseding XEC
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical New Team Oct 25, 2024 2 months, 14 hours, 10 minutes ago
Medical News: With winter on the horizon, a new recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variant known as XEK is under the scientific spotlight, showing signs of potentially becoming the dominant strain by late winter. Designated as XEK, this new variant is a recombinant form that combines genetic sequences from the KP.2.3 and XEC variants.
New recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variant XEK likely to be the next predominant
strain by late Winter, superseding XEC
Initially reported in mid-September 2024, XEK is now confirmed in at least 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Croatia, Slovenia, Ireland, the United States, and France. As the global scientific community closely monitors its spread, the unique characteristics and mutations of XEK have raised concerns about its ability to transmit faster and potentially evade immunity developed from previous strains.
Formation and Genetic Composition of Variant XEK
XEK emerged through recombination, a process where two different SARS-CoV-2 lineages exchange genetic material during replication. In this case, KP.2.3 and XEC combined to create a novel hybrid with distinct mutations across its genome. The primary breakpoint in XEK’s genetic sequence lies between genome positions 9286 and 15402, effectively fusing parts of KP.2.3 and XEC. Significant mutations include C3505T and T5701C, unique to XEK and absent in both parent strains, making it an even more genetically complex recombinant.
From a structural perspective, XEK's spike protein (S protein) contains various mutations that may enhance its ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors. This
Medical News report highlights the notable presence of certain mutations which could alter the virus's interaction with the immune system.
Several mutations observed in XEK, particularly C21627A and T21738C, resemble those seen in past, more transmissible variants, raising concerns about its potential to spread swiftly and become the predominant strain.
https://github.com/cov-lineages/pango-designation/issues/2774
Geographic Spread and Early Cases
XEK's first reported cases date back to July 19 in Denmark. Since then, the recombinant variant has rapidly spread across Europe, with the latest cases reported as recently as early September in the United Kingdom. Currently, XEK has been detected in 20 countries, with clusters in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.
https://cov-spectrum.org/explore/World/AllSamples/Past6M/variants?nextcladePangoLineage=XEK&
Genomic sequencing efforts from these regions indicate that XEK has a stronger foothold in Europe, with a few isolated cases in North America and a recent detection in France.
Given its apparent ability to outpace other variants within local populatio
ns, health officials in affected regions are ramping up efforts to sequence more cases and monitor this variant’s growth closely. XEK’s rapid rise in these areas hints at a potential widespread outbreak in the coming winter months, as cooler temperatures and indoor gatherings could favor its transmission.
Key Mutations Driving Increased Spread and Potential Immune Evasion
One of the key concerns about XEK is its rapid transmission rate, which appears to be significantly higher than its parent strains, KP.2.3 and XEC. Researchers attribute this trait to several specific mutations that influence how the virus attaches to human cells and replicates.
Additionally, the Orf1a mutations, such as T2283I, may play a role in the virus's ability to evade certain immune defenses, especially in individuals with waning immunity from prior infections or vaccinations.
Immunologists and virologists are particularly interested in the C28291A mutation in the Orf9b region, which is linked to immune response modulation. This mutation could potentially interfere with the host’s interferon response, a crucial part of the body's first line of defense against viral infections. Such alterations have led experts to speculate that XEK could be more adept at dodging both innate and acquired immunity, posing a heightened risk for reinfections even among individuals previously infected by closely related variants.
Potential Implications for Public Health in the Coming Months
As XEK spreads, its impact on global health could be profound, especially if it manages to become the predominant strain. While much is still unknown about its pathogenicity, the unique combination of mutations suggests that it may spread more efficiently than other variants and possibly evade neutralizing antibodies. Public health systems, particularly in regions already struggling with the seasonal influenza surge, could face additional pressure if XEK sparks a new COVID-19 wave that also involves more cases of disease severity.
In anticipation of potential XEK-driven outbreaks, some countries are considering reinforcing public health measures, including mask mandates in crowded indoor spaces and ramping up vaccine booster campaigns. Vaccines designed to tackle multiple variants, including XEK, are already in the pipeline, and ongoing research into its behavior is crucial to staying ahead of the virus’s evolution. As researchers study this variant further, we can expect more insights into its ability to infect and the degree of protection current vaccines offer against it.
Conclusion
In summary, XEK is emerging as a recombinant variant with the potential to become the primary SARS-CoV-2 strain by late winter. With genetic contributions from KP.2.3 and XEC, it carries mutations that increase its transmission potential and may help it circumvent immune defenses. As XEK continues to spread, particularly in Europe, health officials and researchers are racing against time to understand the full implications of this variant. Although XEK’s impact on disease severity remains unclear, its accelerated transmissibility signals that proactive steps are needed to minimize its impact. Countries with confirmed cases should prioritize genomic surveillance, public health preparedness, and timely vaccination updates to mitigate potential outbreaks.
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-xec-variant-shows-enhanced-immune-evasion-through-ntd-glycosylation
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/surge-in-covid-19-hospitalizations-as-new-variant-xec-spreads-across-the-uk
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