0
0
Cell culture studies show these variants are better at infecting lung cells and worse at being inhibited by antibodies.
The finding came to a German research team in the lab: delta is actually better at penetrating lung cells compared to the virus of origin (the virus that spread during the lead phase of the pandemic). In addition, Delta is better at fusing infected lung cells with uninfected cells.
Stefan Pöhlmann and Markus Hoffmann from the German Primate Center (DPZ) in Göttingen wanted to know why the delta variant spreads so quickly, and whether delta plus viruses are particularly dangerous.
The new SARS-CoV-2 variants, which can spread rapidly and undermine vaccine protection, threatened the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the delta variant (B.1.617.2) has spread worldwide from India in a short time; almost all infections are due to this variant. In addition, so-called delta plus viruses have been observed that carry additional mutations that may make them more dangerous.
Ineffective antibodies
The German research team has now found that one of four antibodies used to treat COVID-19 was ineffective against Delta, and Delta Plus was even resistant to two of the antibodies.
Antibodies generated after vaccination with the BioNTech-Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines were also less effective against Delta and Delta Plus than against the virus of origin.
Delta and Delta Plus were inhibited, however, which is why it is reasonable to assume that Delta Plus is unlikely to pose a greater risk to vaccinated individuals than Delta.
BioNTech after Astra
Finally, individuals vaccinated first with Oxford-AstraZeneca and then with BioNTech-Pfizer had significantly more antibodies that inhibited Delta than individuals vaccinated twice with Oxford-AstraZeneca. The combination of vaccines, it has been known for some time, could therefore be suitable for building up particularly strong protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- source: kurier.at/picture:pixabay.com
This post has already been read 946 times!
