The Nature Molecular and Cellular Immunology Journal has published a paper detailing the discovery of a new strain of virus, originated in Tanzania, that poses a threat to the world due to its immunity to the Covid-19 vaccine.
The world had suffered an aftermath effect since the pandemic hit in 2019, so far several variants of the vaccine have been put out since then.
In addition to the different strains found around the world, the strain responsible for the current pandemic wave is the Delta strain.
A number of international health agencies and organizations, including the WHO and CDC, are hunting for all variants to determine which are a threat to human health.
Read More: Florida Sues Biden Administration Over Covid-19 Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors
The A.30 variant: What do we know about it?
In February, the A.30 strain belonging to the A lineage was discovered in Tanzania, according to the study.
In lineage variants, the variant’s spike protein contains multiple mutations and human cells can be infected by the spike protein.
Mutations identified on A.30 show that the spike protein is able to neutralize vaccination-induced antibodies.
Angola, Tanzania, and Sweden are the only three countries where scientists have detected A.30 lineage.
According to the results of the different phases of the study, the strain is highly mutated and escapes antibodies
Read More: Man Dies After Mix-and-Match COVID Vaccine
The New Variant Has Enhanced Ability To Enter Human Cells
Infection occurs when the virus or its variants attach themselves to the host cells and stick their spike proteins to the cells.
Among the cells most likely to have the A.30 virus are cells in the lungs, liver, and kidney.
This variant appears to be more resistant to monoclonal antibodies.
In an in vitro setting, the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine from Pfizer and the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine from AstraZeneca were defeated by the resistance of the A.30.
There have not been many cases of this variant for the WHO to classify it as a variant of concern (VOC).