R.1 COVID variant: Why must we watch out for it?

A year and a half has passed by and COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in and around the world. While the Delta variants remain to be the most dominant strain globally, new variants continue to emerge every now and then.

Researchers have detected another new strain, R.1 variant, that has also lead to a small number of COVID cases in the US and other countries as well. Although it has not yet been termed as a variant of concern, experts have urged people to stay vigilant, as it could be very infectious. Read on to find out more about this variant.

As new as this variant may sound, the R.1 variant was first discovered last year in Japan. Since then, it has been detected in around 35 countries, including the United States of America.

Latest report suggests that the variant has infected more than 10,000 people worldwide. A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that the R.1 mutations existed in the US since April 2021. It was detected in a Kentucky nursing home, where many of the patients were fully vaccinated.

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According to a CDC study, 87% of the vaccinated residents of the nursing home were less likely to develop symptoms as compared to unvaccinated individuals. Currently, the R.1 variant is not listed as a variant of concern or interest by the CDC.

Given that viruses are programmed to mutate, the R.1 variant is a strain of the Sars-COV-2 virus. However, different variants may have different potentials and limitations. Unlike the original strain the new variant can affect people differently.

While the Delta variant continues to be the most proficient strain of COVID-19, scientists believe that we might have to watch out for the R.1 variant too. As per reports, besides showcasing an ability to evade vaccine protection and monoclonal antibody treatment, the R.1 variant seems to possess a set of unique mutations that may lead to replication and an increased transmission.

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Whether or not a variant can escape vaccine protection depends on the set of mutations it possesses.

The R.1 contains a combination of mutations. Apart from the potential escape mutations of the spike protein is the receptor-binding domain (E484K), it also contains W152L mutation in the N-terminal domain, a region of the spike protein that is the target of antibodies that could reduce their effectiveness, as per the CDC.

The 484 mutation leads to an increased resistance to antibodies in convalescent sera and to neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The E484K exists in the Beta, Gamma, Eta, Iota, and Mu variants.

This has allowed scientists to believe that the mutations present in the R.1 variant gives it the ability to surpass antibodies protection in people who have been vaccinated.

While the new emerging variants continue to be a source of concern and curiosity, the Delta variant continues to be rampant and the most dominant strain.

As per the CDC, "The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants." "Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous variants in unvaccinated people," the health agency adds.

In a recent report, those who are unvaccinated are 11 times more likely to develop severe illness, 10 times more prone to hospitalization and death, as compared to vaccinated individuals.