UNAIR NEWS – Symptomatic or asymptomatic new cases that previously occurred in Covid-19 are likely to re-occur for Strain B117. This assumption was made by the lecturer of Faculty of Medicine (FK) and universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) Immunology expert, Dr. Agung Dwi Wahyu Widodo dr., M.Si, M.Ked.Klin, SpMK.
In an interview on Thursday, March 18, 2021, Agung said that certain antibodies in the body could not be able to detect the B117 strain virus. He explained that there were a number of mutations in the form of deletions or missing genes in the virus strain B117.
As a result, the virus is able to bind to the receptors on the body’s cells strongly and can avoid antibodies. “The possibility of infection is almost the same as the previous virus. So the spread is fast, but the symptoms are not severe, it can even be the same as Covid-19 so far,” he said.
Meanwhile, Agung said that several studies conducted in Europe and the US showed a decrease in the number of neutralization of antibodies against Strain B117.
“This neutralization means the ability of antibodies to capture and eliminate this virus. In several studies using patient serum, this figure has actually decreased, this is dangerous, “said Agung.
Strain B117 is one of the SARS-CoV-2 Corona Virus variants. This strain was first discovered in England and it was discovered later that Strain B117 had appeared since September 2020.
Agung said, the morbidity rate for Strain B117 was high because it spread very quickly. Even in England, this virus is also associated with some mortality.
If it is observed, explained Agung, the clinical symptoms that arise due to Strain B117 are similar to SARS-CoV-2 in general. Most of them are flu.
Furthermore, in some cases, sufferers also lose their sense of smell and taste. Other symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and tightness are also following.
“The symptoms are the same, not more severe or less severe. There is only one difference in the percentage, so the flu symptom that stands out is the cough compared to the previous Covid, “explained Agung.
However, according to Agung, Strain B117 was different from the Coronavirus circulating in England at that time because Strain B117 is the result of a mutation.
“This virus has eight mutations in its spike. Six mutations in the Spike gene and two deletions, in which there are missing genes,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Erika Eight Novanty
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
