The B.1.617 is Likely Behind the Recent Surge of COVID-19 Cases in India

On April 22^nd, India reported  314,835 new COVID-19 cases — a single-day world record. As the recent surge of cases  in this country captured global attention, sequence sampling shows that new  viral variants are likely behind the worrying situation.

The B.1.617 variant (aka double mutant) is  characterized by two mutations, E484Q and L452R, known to be associated with  increased infectivity and immune escape. These two mutations have been  separately identified on other SARS-CoV-2 strains, but their coexistence on the  same virus is unprecedented and highly concerning. First identified in Oct.  2020, this variant is reported to be responsible for the deadly spread of cases  in Maharashtra and other states this month.

Another variant found to be circulating in  Bengal, B.1.618 (aka triple mutant), is suspected to have evolved from existing  double mutations and contains V382L in its spike in addition to E484Q and L452R.  One thing to clarify though is that the name “double mutant” and “triple  mutant” are not exactly appropriate, as these new strains have many more  defining mutations on the spike protein.

According to GISAID Database, B.1.617 has been  spotted in 18 countries over the world. In face of the new threats, researchers  are yet to establish the link between the mutations, clinical outcomes and vaccine  efficacy. India has approved 3 vaccines as part of its ongoing vaccination  program: Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech; Covishield developed by  Oxford-Astrazeneca; and the recently approved Russian made Sputnik V vaccine. So  far, there are encouraging but very preliminary result that Covishield vaccines  offer protection against the double mutant variant.

To support research into the solution to  the new variant, ACROBiosystems has incorporated the development of recombinant  double mutant antigens into our pipeline. See below to preorder:
  

Reference:

1 Nextstrain

2 GISAID - hCov19 Variants

3 Sputnik V,  Covishield, Covaxin: What we know about India's Covid-19 vaccines - BBC News

4 Covishield  effective double mutant variant of coronavirus latest news | India News – India  TV (indiatvnews.com)

5 Covid-19: India authorises  Sputnik V vaccine as cases soar to more than 180 000 a day | The BMJ