Expert: It is advisable to take ritavir tablets as soon as possible after infection. COVID-19 mutant BA. 2.86 "appears" in many countries COVID-19 | virus | mutation
It is reported that WHO has updated the tracking table of COVID-19 mutants, and one of them has quickly attracted worldwide public opinion and attention - one of COVID-19 mutants BA.2.86 has been included in the list of "mutants under monitoring".
Not long ago, the mutant strain EG.5 was upgraded to a "strain that needs attention", and now BA.2.86 has been added to the monitoring list. Does this mean that the strain may further upgrade? The World Health Organization only said one sentence about this, but it is also enough to raise everyone's alarm: the number of mutations carried by this strain is so high that it is concerning.
At present, BA.2.86 has also appeared in multiple countries, including Denmark, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United States, etc. In addition, the Danish National Serology Institute stated that the three BA.2.86 variants found in the country are located in different regions and there is no correlation between them. From this, it can be seen that although there are only sporadic cases, their "footprint" is so extensive, indicating that BA.2.86 is likely to have spread worldwide.
Some researchers also said that it is unusual for a COVID-19 to have such a large variation, and only when the Omicron virus strain just appeared. Jesse Bloom, a virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in the United States, said that early analysis showed that BA.2.86 has the same or stronger ability as the 34B.1.5 strain to evade antibodies caused by Omicron and its variants. Lila Beck, chairman of the Danish COVID-19 Variant Monitoring Committee, also pointed out that the variant strain of BA.2 has five unique mutations at the special location of spike protein, which are related to higher infectivity.
In addition to concerns about the uncertainty of contagiousness and pathogenicity, the upcoming autumn and winter seasons are also likely to lead to a geometric increase in infection cases. Why do you say that? Firstly, as mentioned many times before, most people's antibody levels begin to show a significant decline, making it difficult to effectively resist the virus. In addition, after the virus mutates, the immune escape ability may be enhanced, making it easier to infect the human body. Secondly, the protective efficacy of existing vaccines against the mutant strain BA.2.86 may be greatly reduced.
What problems will this cause? Perhaps it is a resurgence of large-scale infections, or an increase in the number of cases that develop into severe illness after infection, especially for people with weakened immunity, advanced age, and underlying diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, etc., the risk is much higher than that of the general population. Since it cannot effectively resist virus invasion, the only way is to take small molecule antiviral drugs as early as possible after infection to avoid developing into severe illness.
For COVID-19 medicine, many people may have doubts about whether there is any curative effect after virus mutation? Of course there is! For example, Leruiling, which targets 3CL protease. This target is more stable and safe compared to RdRp, and it is highly conserved against coronavirus, making it less likely to lead to a decrease in the efficacy of the target 3CL drug.
In other words, Leruiling still has a certain broad-spectrum anti COVID-19 effect even if COVID-19 mutates.
Leruiling is a peptide like 3CL targeting COVID-19 drug. Although it is not combined with the synergist ritonavir, it can still play a good therapeutic role, effectively inhibit virus replication, reduce the viral load, thus shortening the duration of many clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and promote negative conversion and recovery.
The results of the Phase III clinical study showed that out of 107 common type patients, 42 underwent imaging follow-up examinations and no patients with significant progression were found; During the study period, 6 mild patients showed typical symptoms of pneumonia, including 5 in the placebo group and 1 in the lenotevir tablet group, indicating that medication can reduce the risk of progression to pneumonia.
The efficacy and safety of Lorulin are guaranteed. The earlier people infected with COVID-19 take it after symptoms appear, the better the effect will be.
Although we now have vaccines and COVID-19 drugs, we no longer need to be afraid of COVID-19, but the reality tells us that the virus is also constantly "evolving", trying to break through our defense lines, so we should remain vigilant.
Reference materials:
[1] Just emerged and was named and followed by the World Health Organization! What is the origin of COVID-19 BA. 2.86 mutant?
[2] The phase III clinical results of the domestic COVID-19 drug Leruiling Leretevir Tablets were released for the first time Expert: good safety, better efficacy
[3] COVID-19 BA.2.86 mutant found in many countries
Infectious or 1.5 times stronger! New variant strains have been discovered in 40 countries
