The BF.15 mutant strain monitored in Shenzhen may be the global release, and the high degree of homologous to report virus in Hong Kong

30.08.2022

Number of this text: 1006, reading time for about 2 minutes

Guide: From the perspective of evolutionary relationship, BF.15 strains belong to the sub -branch of BA.5.2.1, which is highly homologous to a virus sequence uploaded by the Hong Kong Department of Health in July this year.

Author | First Financial Money Children's Heart

On August 30, 35 newly -positive infections were added in Shenzhen, which increased from 11 positive infections reported the previous day. Due to the epidemic, there have been 5 hospitals in Shenzhen, and Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen Electronics Market, has also been closed due to the epidemic.

On August 29, the Shenzhen Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that all cases since August 23 have performed a comparative analysis of virus genome sequences to monitor a new Omikon mutant strain BF.15. Evolution from BA.5, for the first time for Shenzhen, it was found that most of the cases were infected with BF.15 mutant strains.

However, the source of BF.15 is still unclear. The Shenzhen Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the virus strains infected with these cases were highly homologous with the sequence of some strains reported by overseas reports. It does not rule out the possibility of local infection caused by overseas inputs.

In response, Professor Lu Hongzhou, Dean of Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, told the first financial reporter: "From the perspective of evolution, BF.15 strains belong to the sub -branch of BA.5.2.1. The sequence of a virus sequence is high. "

The first financial reporter inquired about public data, and BF.15 mutant strains were rarely reported globally. According to the World Health Organization website information, as of August 25, BF.15 strains have not been monitored worldwide.

"There are very few known information about BF.15, so virus and clinical characteristics need to be further studied." Lu Hongzhou told the first financial reporter, "Generally speaking, BF.15 strains are only many mutations in Omikhon's many mutations One of the one in the plant, so we don't need to worry too much about BF.15 strains. "

However, some experts told the First Financial reporter that although the BF.15 mutant strain is also Omikon, the difference between the BA.5 mutant strains is not much, but what is vigilant is that its communication power may be stronger.

Existing data show that the immune escape ability of the BA.5 mutant strain is significantly stronger than that of other strains. In addition to escaping the immune response induced by the current vaccination, it can also escape the immune response induced by the strain infection. Therefore, theoretically, the strain has a strong immune escape ability and is prone to breakthrough infections.

"BF.15 is evolved from BA.5, but after many generations of communication, some mutations have been obtained, which also shows that a stronger communication ability may be obtained." A virusist told the First Financial reporter, " "But to answer these questions, we still need to be wider gene sequencing and the tracking of the dense connection."

The above experts also said that as long as the virus is still spreading between interpersonal, new mutant plants will continue to appear. Although close attention is needed, it does not need to be too nervous.

Lu Hongzhou said that for those who have basic diseases to develop into intensive illnesses, they should still use monoclonal antibodies or oral antiviral antiviral treatment drugs early, which can inhibit the virus to prevent patients from moving from the disease; in addition, vaccination is still effective for preventing severe illnesses.

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