All you need to know about double mutant COVID variant

Viruses are the smallest of living beings. They keep changing their genetic makeup for better and more efficient survival. Every major change in a virus is called a mutation. Scientists in India have detected a SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that has caused a global pandemic) variant that has two mutations coming together at the same time. The detection of the double mutant variant has come at a time when the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is getting stronger by the day in India.

The double mutant COVID-19 variant was detected in samples collected from Maharashtra. This variant carries the E484Q and L452R mutations.

These mutations have taken place in the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The coronavirus uses its spike proteins to latch on to human cells and force its way inside to reproduce rapidly. This is how a COVID-19 infection takes place.

The double mutant COVID variant is a concern as the Union Health Ministry said in its statement that "such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity" to the coronavirus.

It is, however, not yet ascertained whether mutations in the same variant can shield the novel coronavirus from known medications and the two vaccines approved in India. Scientists are examining this aspect. Such an 'immune escape' can happen only when mutation or mutations make the resultant virus behave completely different from the original variant.

Some reports have pointed out that the two mutations are similar to the ones reported from the Brazilian and South African variants detected last year, and the mutation detected in the US, where it was called the California variant.

The E484Q variant is comparable to the Brazilian and South African variants while L452R is comparable to the California variant. Brazil and the US are the top COVID-19 hotspots in the world. In Brazil, the second wave has picked up with many experts attributing it to the mutant variant. In the US, however, the rate of COVID-19 spread has started to decline.

A double mutant variant of a virus is not a rare occurrence even if not very common. Viruses evolve to sustain their lives and improve infectivity. However, in India's case, double mutant variant has been detected in fewer samples than the UK variant, which is said to be more infective and lethal.

While over 200 samples were reported to contain the double mutant COVID variant, the UK variant was sequenced in more than 700 samples. In Maharashtra, where the double mutant variant has been detected, about 80 per cent samples have been of other variants.

The double mutation variant has not yet been categorised as a "variant of concern" (VOC). The UK, South African and Brazilian variants have been the three VOCs in India. Commenting on the risks associated with the double mutant variant, noted virologist Dr Shahid Jameel said, "Too much is being made out of it."

However, the detection of the double mutant variant in about 20 per cent samples in Maharashtra at a time when the state is breaking all previous records of daily COVID-19 caseloads could be a cause of concern, health experts have warned. They say it is possible that the double mutant Covid variant could be contributing right now or in future in a major way to the daily caseloads.