New Covid variant detected at Texas A&M lab shows signs of antibody resistance and more severe illness in young people

Scientists at Texas A&M University’s Global Health Research Complex say they’ve detected a new Covid-19 variant that shows signs of a more contagious strain that causes more severe illness and appears to be resistant to antibodies. The new variant, BV-1, named after its Brazos Valley origin, was found during Texas A&M’s routine coronavirus screening via saliva sample in a young student who had mild cold-like symptoms. The student tested positive for Covid on March 5 and tested positive again on March 25, showing that the new strain may cause a longer infection in younger people. The student’s symptoms resolved by April 2 and a third test on April 9 came back negative.

Texas A&M scientists say that cell culture-based experiments from other labs have shown that several neutralizing antibodies had no effect in controlling other variants with the same genetic markers as BV-1. The scientists also say they have submitted a paper on BV-1 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to alert officials before it spreads further. The lab has identified many Covid mutations through its genetic sequencing program, but Neuman said the genetic makeup of this strain is particularly concerning.

Many U.S. labs sequence only severe Covid cases, but the Texas A&M lab is testing and sequencing asymptomatic students to catch dangerous strains early before they can cause serious illness. Scientists at the lab say the new variant is related to the B.1.1.7 strain out of the U.K., which current vaccines have been shown to be effective against. The related U.K. strain makes up a majority of variant infection in the U.S.

New Covid variant detected at Texas A&M lab shows signs of antibody resistance and more severe illness in young people, CNBC, Apr 23