Mar 22, 2021 19:30:00

Is the vaccine effective against mutant strains of the new coronavirus?

Neutralizing antibodies that suppress the action of pathogens appear rapidly in the body after being infected with a virus or vaccinated, and continue to exist in the body for several months thereafter. Various mutant strains have been confirmed for the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 ) that causes the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) , but an antibody that is effective for one mutant strain is also effective for other mutant strains. Research is being conducted on whether or not it is.

Neutralizing Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants After Infection and Vaccination | Infectious Diseases | JAMA | JAMA Network
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777898

When humans are infected with a virus or vaccinated, they produce antibodies that play a role in eliminating antigens such as proteins that have entered the body. Of the antibodies produced for each site / region of the antigen, those that have the function of neutralizing the biological effects of the antigen on the cells and protecting the cells are called neutralizing antibodies. Venkata Viswanadh Edara and colleagues at Emory University investigated how neutralizing antibodies against one mutant of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) work against another.

Edara et al. From the 'group of infected people 5 to 19 days after the onset of the symptoms of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)' for 20 people, 'from the onset of the symptoms of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)' 20 people from the 'group of infected people whose symptoms are recovering after 32 to 94 days', 'group of patients 14 days after the second administration of the moderna vaccine' mRNA-1273 'that has completed the phase I clinical trial' I got blood samples for 14 people from.

Then, the blood sample was divided into the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its mutant strains 'EHC-083E', '

B.1.1.7 ', and 'N501Y', the antibodies in the blood were investigated, and the titers of neutralizing antibodies were investigated. Measure. We investigated how three groups of neutralizing antibodies work against the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the three mutant strains.

As a result, the antibodies detected in all groups were judged to be statistically insignificant in their action against the four new coronaviruses. Edara et al. Write that the results may continue to be effective against other mutants if they acquire immunity to certain types of the new coronavirus.

On the other hand, this survey points out problems such as the small sample size and the possibility of selection bias.