SURABAYA, AYOCIREBON.COM – Immunology expert from Airlangga University (Unair) Surabaya, Dr. Agung Dwi Wahyu Widodo explained, the new type of corona virus variant, namely E484K or known as Eek, deserves to be watched out for. According to him, the new variant of SARS CoV-2 has been found in Indonesia.
Agung emphasized that the virus mutation was more virulent. Because, according to a report written by Marek Widera et al from the University Hospital Frankfurt, this virus can avoid antibodies.
According to Agung, the virus is able to avoid antibodies because it can mutate in the amino acid glutamic acid “e”. Then, it can turn into lysine on the spike.
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“From the report, it was explained that several monoclonal antibodies failed to detect the presence, or did neutralization (on a virus that had the E484K variant),” he said through a written statement obtained. Ayosurabaya.com, Wednesday (14/4/2021).
Agung stated that the mutation was close to the peak of the spike. Thus, the protein structure in the spike changes. This change is what causes the virus to avoid Covid-19 antibodies.
The new ability of this mutation makes the E484K variant even more virulent, because of its rapid transmission. In fact, it can even attack someone who already has Covid-19 antibodies.
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Nevertheless, Agung revealed that the symptoms caused by the virus variant were still the same as the symptoms of the variants that had ever existed. But, still the level of transmission must be watched out by the community.
“The degree of severity has not changed either. “In this variant (Eek), the clinical symptoms that appear are similar to the Brazilian P1, B117, and B1351 South African variants,” said Agung.
However, people are advised not to panic and continue to implement the prokes strictly.
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