NEW COVID VARIANT. You can be infected with two variants of the coronavirus at the same time. 54 cases of the XD variant (ex-Deltacron), the Delta/Omicron recombinant are confirmed in France. Fatigue and headaches are among the most common symptoms. What are the others? How do you know if you have the XD variant? Info.
[Mis à jour le 28 mars 2022 à 11h52] One can be infected with two variants du Covid at the same time as with the recombinant Delta/Omicron named XD variant (formerly “Deltacron”). This variant detected for the first time at the beginning of January 2022 has been classified “being evaluated“ by Public Health France in its risk analysis related to emerging variants of Sars-CoV-2. 54 cases confirmed or suspected (linked to a confirmed case) of infection by this variant have been investigated in France. “The most frequent clinical signs were asthenia/fatigue, headache, fever, cough and sore throat, indicates the organization. The difference with the previously investigated cases of Omicron infections was the higher rate raised ageusia (loss of taste) and anosmia (loss of smell).” The recombinants between different variants of SARS-CoV-2 are subject to a enhanced monitoring, because they constitute major evolutionary events. “It is difficult to predict what their characteristics will be in relation to the variants from which they are derived, and therefore their impact on public health in the event of circulation in the population” warns the health agency. How to know if you have the XD variant ? What is the situation in France ? What are the symptoms ? Is it more dangerous ?
Definition: what is the XD variant?
The XD variant was detected for the first time at the beginning of January 2022. In the case of a recombinant variant, either the genetic material of both variants in the sampleor this co-infection has resulted in genetic recombination (“variant hybrid“). In the case of the XD variant, “The isolation of this virus has definitively confirmed thatit was indeed a recombinant. Thus, the variant XD has genetic characteristics from the two parental VOCs (variants) Delta and Omicronbutvery little data is currently available as to its characteristics. informs Public Health France in its risk analysis of March 25. “the Pangolin lineage XD was assigned to this recombinant and is now the official name of this recombinant (ex-Deltacron). ” This variant has been classified as VUM (Variant Under Monitoring) i.e. “variant under evaluation” by Public Health France.
How many cases of XD variant in France?
As of March 21, 54 cases of infection with the XD variant (36 confirmed cases sequenced and 18 suspected cases not sequenced but linked to a confirmed case) were investigated by the regional units of Public Health France. Among these 54 cases, there were 29 men and 25 women. L’median age was 32, the youngest case being 4 years old and the oldest 66 years old. “Since February 18, a recombinant Delta/Omicron (named XD variant) subject to close monitoring by Public Health France and the CNR Respiratory infection virus. The majority of its genome corresponds to the variant Delta but a large portion of the S gene corresponds to the Omicron variant (BA.1 sublineage)“said Public Health France. The organization had confirmed for the first time cases of co-infections and recombinations in France in its latest risk analysis of Sars-Cov-2 variants published on February 23.
“These recombinants are difficult to detect because we do not know at first sight whether we are dealing with a co-infection or a hybrid. This is high-flying work in genomics.e” indicates Professor Bruno Lina, virologist, on France Inter Tuesday, March 1, 2022.”The detected cases are currently under investigation“says the head of the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infection Viruses in Lyon. It is within the framework of the sequencing carried out during the Flash surveys that the first cases of co-infections and recombinations appeared. “In France, enhanced monitoring of Delta/Omicron co-infections has been set up in order to detect possible recombinants as early as possible” added Public Health France. Before recalling the context: “Since the end of 2021, an Omicron wave has overlapped with a Delta wave in several regions of the world. This co-circulation of two variants on a large scale increases the probability of co-infections and therefore that of recombinants. Several suspected Delta/Omicron recombinants have been reported recently in the UK, USA and Australiaand others are under investigation“.
What are the symptoms of the XD variant?
The most common clinical signs were asthenia/fatigue (58%), headache (56%), fever (46%), cough (42%) and sore throat (38%). The main difference with previously investigated cases of Omicron infections was the higher rate of ageusia [perte du goût] and d’anosmie [perte de l’odorat]“ indicates Public Health France on March 23.
What are the dangers for individuals infected with the XD variant?
Three hospitalizations were reported among the 54 investigated cases of infection by the XD variant, specifies Public Health France on March 25. The first case was hospitalized for a reason other than COVID-19 and tested upon admission. The second case, vaccinated with one dose (Jansen), was hospitalized for less than 24 hours for fever and vomiting. The third case, vaccinated with three doses (last dose at the end of December), suffered from chronic respiratory problems and was also hospitalized for less than 24 hours. No critical care admissions and no deaths were reported, but a longitudinal follow-up would be necessary to confirm this. “He is difficult to predict what will be their characteristics in relation to the variants from which they are derived, and therefore their public health impact in the event of circulation in the population” warns the health agency.
Sources :
– Coronavirus : circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants, Updated February 28, 2022, Public Health France.
– Flash surveys: evaluation of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in France, Updated on February 28, 2022, Public Health France.