Genome Center’s loop of a new subspecies of omikron has spread to Thailand Chie accelerates the extraction of vaccines.
On May 6, reporters reported that the latest Medical Genome Center Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University issued a warning to people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have not received the covid-19 vaccine, booster dose (booster dose) get vaccinated thoroughly to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the near future
The Genome Center said that the number of new Omicron cases and deaths around the world, including Thailand, has been steadily declining, leading to a possible stagnation. “Local world” where our health system can control the epidemic But why should we still need the first vaccination if we haven’t had one and get the booster as soon as it’s due?
The answer is that the subspecies “BA.4” and “BA.5” in Africa and “BA.2.12.1” in the United States are emerging as the next wave of BA.2 and It is highly likely to spread globally, as was the case with the Omicron pandemic from South Africa last year (November 2021).
Laboratory studies have shown that the antibodies produced by the body by natural infection of omicron subspecies BA.1 do not protect against emerging omicron strains such as BA.4. , BA.5 and BA.2.12.1
In people who were not vaccinated but recently cured of BA.1 infection, the ability of the antibodies in the body to neutralize BA.4 and BA.5 viruses was more than 7 times lower compared to the ability to counteract BA.1 in while those who were previously vaccinated (The vaccine is made from a spiny segment of the 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 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.
Viruses BA.4 and BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 have mutations at the common location of their genome “452”. This makes the spines more stable, and clings to the so-called “ACE-2 receptor” at the surface of the infected person’s cells more tightly to infiltrate the cell. It also allows cells to fuse together (cell fusion) to become one cell (syncytia giant cell), helping the virus to transmit cell-to-cell without having to leave the cell to be destroyed by antibodies. This allows the virus to rapidly multiply between cells.
BA.4 and BA.5 viruses are also altered at the “486” position, which is thought to help the virus hide from our immune system to some extent.
For BA.2.12.1, there is a change at position “704,” the function of which is unclear, is expected to result in cell fusion.
Therefore, during the ‘suspension’ (decrease in the number of new omikron cases and deaths), vaccinations and boosters should be sought to prevent re-infection if there is an outbreak of omikron subspecies. BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.12.1 entered Thailand. Because the natural immunity from BA.1 may not protect us much from the emerging omikron subspecies,” the Genome Center said.
