Another cause for concern?
Researchers have found that the mutation, which has been found in some patients in Israel, is "capable of overcoming the immune system in recovering patients" • The AMN report emphasized: "Further research is needed to determine the resistance of the mutation to the vaccine. "
An alarming report by the National Security Agency this morning (Sunday) on the South African corona strain, which was also discovered among four Israelis.
Following the British mutation - which is more contagious in general and probably also in children - the South African mutation V2.501 is now beginning worldwide, which according to a preliminary study that has not been peer-controlled appears to be more resistant to recovering antibodies than previous mutations.
Head of Public Health Services: "We have preliminary and worrying research on the South African mutation" // Photo: Knesset Spokeswoman
According to the report, the South African mutation developed in Nelson Mandela Bay in the eastern province of Cape Town, and within a few weeks became dominant throughout the region.
Full artist report
Simultaneously with the rapid spread of the mutation, since the beginning of November there has been a large increase in the number of infected and dead per day in the country, and it is estimated that this is related to the new corona strain.
Authorities in South Africa speculate that the mutant virus is more contagious and therefore is causing the current rise in morbidity in the country, especially among young people.
The South African mutation shows 20-10 changes from the original corona virus, and scientists are now interested in two of these mutations in the RBD region of the virus, where it is allowed to penetrate and infect the human cell.
The first mutation is called the N501Y.
It is found in the protein that penetrates the body's cells and also exists in the British version of the corona mutation.
Apparently, the vaccine is effective against it, as a Pfizer test showed.
But there is another mutation, called E484, that is unique to the South African version.
Apparently, it allows the virus to evade the vaccines developed against it and the antibodies that the body produces against the original virus.
Concerns about the virus in its South African version arose in the study in question, which raised concerns that the strain has the ability to overcome the immune system in recovering people.
This is a partial study done in a laboratory, which examined the binding quality of serum-neutralizing antibodies (a body antibody fluid developed by the body's immune system) of 11 recovering against different mutations.
It turned out that the South African mutation E484 showed an ability to better neutralize or better elude the body antibodies that are supposed to damage it.
It is important to note that the study had different results when the levels or type of antibodies were changed, and also a finding was found in the ability of the antibodies taken from the same person over time.
Also, it was only a partial test of the mutation against antibodies and not of a whole virus.
Beyond that, there is a difference between research on serum taken from recoverers and the antibodies that the vaccine develops.
However, the results raise some concern that this unique mutation may now be resistant to vaccines, requiring a preventive process and isolation of people returning from countries where this mutation is active.