Rajasthan
Mutant variant with increased infectivity circulating in Rajasthan, say doctors | Jaipur News
JAIPUR: Behind the sudden surge in Covid cases, health experts suspect mutant variants are circulating and responsible for faster spread of the virus. In the state, cases have been reported in which infection has been found bypassing already present antibodies through infection or vaccination.
Recently, the Centre’s SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a network of 10 laboratories, had conducted an analysis of samples from Maharashtra, which revealed that compared to December 2020, there has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations.
Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. However, Sawai Man Singh Medical College has denied any such mutation in state saying it was not documented yet, but confirmed that double mutant strain had been found in the country.
“Double mutation is not documented in the state,” Dr Sudhir Bhandari, principal and controller, SMS Medical College and head of panel for Covid treatment said.
He specifically pointed out there are a lot of differences in both the waves. “Second wave is more aggressive than the first and it is targeting all age groups especially young population. In the first wave, it was seen more in above 60 people. Also, in second wave, patients are detected with short history of developing pneumonia requiring oxygen. After infection of one person in a family, whole family gets infected and in 30-40% of cases, RTPCR tests negative but in some time such patients get severe pneumonia,” said Dr Bhandari, adding that those who have vaccinated, have also tested positive. But, they did not develop severe illness.
City’s doctors believe that the mutant virus is of particular concern because it has more ability to spread, cause severe Covid pneumonia and skips the bodies immune system. “The possible mutation could be the reason for second wave of infection we are facing. There have been cases of reinfection which have been quite severe despite previous infection. The second wave we have encountered more severe disease in younger population,” said Dr Sheetu Singh, director (Covid pulmonary rehab) at a private hospital.
The current surge is being mainly due to home-grown mutant variants of SARS COV-2, doctors suspect. “The strain is highly contagious and the rate of infection is much higher than before and causing more infection in younger persons. Since a large number of population is being affected, fatality numbers and the number of severe cases are expected to surge with the spike,” said Dr KK Sharma, senior consultant (pulmonology), at a private hospital.
Doctors at government hospitals are also suspecting a new strain behind rise in cases. “With increasing number of cases in a short span of time, it seems that strain circulating is more transmissible than in first wave. Covid pneumonia is being observed more even in mildly symptomatic patients now which was quiet uncommon during first wave,” said Dr Shalini Rathore, incharge Covid at Mahila Chikitsalaya.
Doctors say they have seen a change in symptoms in the second wave. “With the advent of new strain, we are seeing a new set of symptoms including upset stomach, aches, vomiting, conjunctivitis and others,” Dr Charu Sukhlecha, consultant, critical care at a private hospital.
Recently, the Centre’s SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a network of 10 laboratories, had conducted an analysis of samples from Maharashtra, which revealed that compared to December 2020, there has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations.
Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. However, Sawai Man Singh Medical College has denied any such mutation in state saying it was not documented yet, but confirmed that double mutant strain had been found in the country.
“Double mutation is not documented in the state,” Dr Sudhir Bhandari, principal and controller, SMS Medical College and head of panel for Covid treatment said.
He specifically pointed out there are a lot of differences in both the waves. “Second wave is more aggressive than the first and it is targeting all age groups especially young population. In the first wave, it was seen more in above 60 people. Also, in second wave, patients are detected with short history of developing pneumonia requiring oxygen. After infection of one person in a family, whole family gets infected and in 30-40% of cases, RTPCR tests negative but in some time such patients get severe pneumonia,” said Dr Bhandari, adding that those who have vaccinated, have also tested positive. But, they did not develop severe illness.
City’s doctors believe that the mutant virus is of particular concern because it has more ability to spread, cause severe Covid pneumonia and skips the bodies immune system. “The possible mutation could be the reason for second wave of infection we are facing. There have been cases of reinfection which have been quite severe despite previous infection. The second wave we have encountered more severe disease in younger population,” said Dr Sheetu Singh, director (Covid pulmonary rehab) at a private hospital.
The current surge is being mainly due to home-grown mutant variants of SARS COV-2, doctors suspect. “The strain is highly contagious and the rate of infection is much higher than before and causing more infection in younger persons. Since a large number of population is being affected, fatality numbers and the number of severe cases are expected to surge with the spike,” said Dr KK Sharma, senior consultant (pulmonology), at a private hospital.
Doctors at government hospitals are also suspecting a new strain behind rise in cases. “With increasing number of cases in a short span of time, it seems that strain circulating is more transmissible than in first wave. Covid pneumonia is being observed more even in mildly symptomatic patients now which was quiet uncommon during first wave,” said Dr Shalini Rathore, incharge Covid at Mahila Chikitsalaya.
Doctors say they have seen a change in symptoms in the second wave. “With the advent of new strain, we are seeing a new set of symptoms including upset stomach, aches, vomiting, conjunctivitis and others,” Dr Charu Sukhlecha, consultant, critical care at a private hospital.
