The Genome Center has warned that the new subspecies of omikron had been infected if not vaccinated. The body’s antibodies against the virus were reduced by more than 7 times.
Date 6 May 65 Medical Genome Center Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University Post pictures and messages via Facebook page. Center for Medical Genomics Regarding the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic, the number of new Omicron cases and deaths from infections around the world, including in Thailand, is now steadily declining and may enter a state of “endemic diseases” that the public health system can control the outbreak But why is it still worth accelerating the first dose of vaccination if it hasn’t been given and the booster will be given as soon as it’s due?
The answer is the World Health Organization. It has warned of an outbreak of omicron subspecies “BA.4” and “BA.5” in Africa and “BA.2.12.1” in the United States, a new wave (next wave) by researchers around the world. The outbreak is likely to replace BA.2 and is highly likely to spread globally, similar to the outbreak of the Omicron pandemic from South Africa last year (November 2021).
A South African research team that found the original omikron discovered the emerging omikron subspecies BA.4 and BA.5.
Laboratory studies have shown that the antibodies produced by the human body from natural infection BA.1 do not protect against emerging omicron infections such as BA. 4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 are good.
People who were not vaccinated but recently cured of BA.1 found that the ability of the antibodies in the body to neutralize BA.4 and BA.5 was more than 7 times lower. compared with the ability to resist BA.1 while those who were previously vaccinated (The vaccine is made from spiny parts of the original Wuhan virus) and has recently recovered naturally from BA.1 infection. The ability of the antibody in the body to neutralize BA.4 and BA.5 viruses has been reduced by only three times.
This means that natural BA.1 antibodies alone are not very effective against BA.4 and BA.5 infections, but if pre-vaccinated and concomitant BA.1 infection, body antibodies Its creation is able to inhibit BA.4 and BA.5 viruses to some extent. not getting sick, not dying Compared to those who were not vaccinated but had only natural BA.1 infections.
Note: The ability of antibodies in the body to neutralize viruses. Influenza (in the case of influenza virus) was reduced by 8 times, indicating a loss of protection ability, requiring urgent update of the (seasonal influenza) vaccine.
BA.4 and BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 viruses There is a common mutation at the location. “452” of their genome This makes the spines more stable and attaches to the so-called “ACE-2 receptor” at the surface of the infected person’s cells more tightly, allowing them to penetrate better into the cell.
It also allows cells to connect (cell fusion) to form a single giant cell (syncytia giant cell), allowing the virus to communicate cell-to-cell without having to come out of the cell to be destroyed by antibodies. This allows the virus to rapidly multiply between cell clusters.
BA.4 and BA.5 viruses There is a change in the position “486” It’s also thought to help the virus hide from our immune system to some degree.
As for BA.2.12.1, there is a change at “704”, the function of which is unclear is expected to result in cell fusion or cell fusion.
so during “Take a break” (The number of new omicron cases and deaths has decreased), so vaccinations and boosters should be sought to prevent re-infection if there is an outbreak of subspecies of omikron BA.4, BA.5. and BA.2.12.1 entered Thailand. This is because the natural immunity from the original omikron might not protect us much from the emerging omikron subspecies.