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Why is P.1 more contagious than B.1.1.28? The latest research reveals the truth!
As the COVID-19 epidemic continues to develop, various variants have emerged, and scientists are increasingly concerned about the infectiousness and severity of these variants. Among them, the P.1 variant (also known as the Gamma variant) was a variant that was first detected in Japan in January 2021 and quickly attracted global attention. Recent studies have shown that the infectiousness and mortality rate of P.1 are significantly higher than those of the B.1.1.28 variant, making us eager to understand the reasons.
The P.1 variant contains 17 amino acid substitutions, 10 of which appear in its spike protein.
According to the latest research, three specific mutations of P.1 - N501Y, E484K and K417T - significantly increase its infectiousness. These mutations allow the virus to attach to host cells more efficiently, leading to higher infection rates. Especially in Manaus, Brazil, studies have shown that the viral load of the P.1 variant can be ten times that of other COVID-19 infected people, which means that even in the same infection environment, P.1 can be more The intensity of the spread.
In addition, another study pointed out that the P.1 variant is about 2.2 times more contagious than B.1.1.28, which gives it a stronger advantage in the spread of the epidemic.
In close contact situations, the P.1 variant can also evade about 32% of immunity from earlier coronavirus infections, making it more likely that people who have already been infected with COVID-19 will be infected again.
Scientists have found that although previous infection may provide some immune protection, the P.1 variant can still break through this line of defense. This means that not only do we face the risk of new infections, but we may also need to consider how a rapid waning of immunity could affect the further spread of the disease.
Not only that, the mortality rate of P.1 has also increased. Studies show that patients infected with the P.1 variant have a 50% higher risk of death than those infected with the B.1.1.28 variant. This data raises concerns about herd immunity, and scientists urgently need to understand how to reduce the harm caused by this variant.
In terms of preventive measures, countries are stepping up the promotion of vaccination to prevent the spread of mutant strains. The development and improvement of vaccines is particularly important in combating the P.1 variant. Preliminary data also show that some vaccines may reduce the neutralizing antibody response to P.1. This trend has sparked widespread discussion about vaccine effectiveness.
Studies have shown that people who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had significantly reduced neutralizing antibody effectiveness against the P.1 variant.
Although the spread of the P.1 variant around the world has slowed down, its impact continues. In its March 2022 report, the World Health Organization pointed out that no new cases of the Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants had been detected in the past few weeks, which makes the future development of the epidemic unpredictable.
As scientists and medical professionals continue to conduct in-depth research, we may be able to better understand the characteristics of the P.1 variant and its impact in the future. The rapid spread of P.1 and the health threats it poses are tangible reminders that we need to be extremely vigilant when facing this new virus mutation. So, as our understanding of virus mutations deepens, is society adequately prepared to combat new variants that may emerge in the future?
