SARS-CoV-2 KP variants seems to be evolving towards causing chronic infections. KP.3.3 with ORF1a I1367L debuts in Europe
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 31, 2024 1 month, 1 week, 4 days, 21 hours, 21 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: A Rising Concern in Europe
A newly identified sub-lineage of SARS-CoV-2, KP.3.3, has emerged with a distinctive mutation ORF1a:I1367L is raising alarms among experts across Europe.
SARS-CoV-2 KP variants seems to be evolving towards causing chronic infections. KP.3.3 with ORF1a I1367L debuts in Europe
This sub-lineage, which was first sequenced in Luxembourg on May 13, 2024 (EPI_ISL_19229409), has been rapidly spreading, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
As of July 31, 2024, it has been detected in 355 sequences across five continents and 25 countries.
Mutation and Spread
The ORF1a:I1367L mutation, also known as NSP3_I549L, is notable for its rarity and association with chronic infections. Despite its uncommon occurrence, this mutation has now been prominently found in the KP.3.3 sub-lineage. The nucleotide changes A4364C and T8263C characterize this sub-lineage.
Please note the definition of chromic disease: Chronic infection is characterized by the continued presence of infectious virus following the primary infection and may include chronic or recurrent disease. Slow infection is characterized by a prolonged incubation period followed by progressive disease. Also note that the initial acute infection stage can be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic.
The emergence of this new sub-lineages coincides with many
COVID-19 News reports claiming that people in countries like Germany and Netherlands seem to be sick for a longer period of time!
Geographic Distribution
KP.3.3 with ORF1a:I1367L mutation has primarily been circulating in Europe, accounting for 328 of the total sequences. It has also been identified in North America (32), Africa (1), Asia (1), and Oceania (1).
The countries most affected include Germany (130 sequences), the Netherlands (51), France (30), Denmark (27), and England (27).
Sub-lineage Characteristics
The mutation ORF1a:I1367L has historically been associated with chronic infections, making its prevalence in KP.3.3 concerning. This mutation is the 19th most frequent in chronic infections, and when restricted to sequences appearing at least 20 times independently, it ranks 8th. Its success in KP.3.3 over the past two months is remarkable, particularly given its previous rarity in circulating lineages.
New Sub-Branch
A new branch within this sub-lineage, marked by the S:S31del
mutation, has also been identified. This branch, though comprising only five sequences, has been collected recently, with dates ranging from June 28 to July 17, 2024. These sequences were found in the USA (New York and Florida), Spain (linked to travel to the USA), Canary Islands, and England.
https://github.com/sa
rs-cov-2-variants/lineage-proposals/issues/1801
Implications for Public Health
The spread of KP.3.3 with the ORF1a I1367L mutation highlights the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and its ability to adapt and thrive in various conditions. The mutation's association with chronic infections could indicate a potential for longer-lasting infections, complicating efforts to control the virus's spread.
Continuous monitoring and genomic sequencing are crucial to understanding and mitigating the impact of such variants.
Conclusion
The emergence of the KP.3.3 sub-lineage with the ORF1a I1367L mutation underscores the importance of vigilance in tracking SARS-CoV-2 mutations. As this sub-lineage continues to spread, particularly in Europe, it is essential to stay informed and adapt public health strategies accordingly.
For the latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants and other
COVID-19 News, visit Thailand Medical News.
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