Q: How is AY.4.2 different from the original delta variant?Ī: The AY.4.2 variant has three mutations, with two of them being on the spike protein. The coronavirus uses the spike protein on its outer surface to infect cells by attaching to a protein called the ACE2 receptor that is found on the surface of the lungs and other cells.Īdvertising Policy Q: Should we be worried about vaccine resistance when it comes to mutations like delta plus?Ī: Mutations can cause vaccine resistance. In the United States, it’s been present in less than 1% of cases. but even there, it’s only present in about 6% of the cases. Most of the cases have occurred in the U.K. Q: When was AY.4.2 discovered and has it been a variant of interest for a while?Ī: AY.4.2 has been followed by the World Health Organization (WHO) since July and is present now in dozens of countries. The impact of this mutation is not quite clear yet. AY.4.2 is due to a mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant. Some mutations cannot survive, some have no effect and others can make a virus more transmittable or more severe.
Q: Should we be worried about virus mutations or are they pretty normal?Ī: Mutations that occur when a virus makes copies of itself are quite common. Infectious disease specialist Kristin Englund, MD, shares some insights about variant AY.4.2, also known as “Delta Plus,” and reminds us why we still need to be careful as we roll into the indoor months.
We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
0 kommentar(er)
