NEW DELTACRON VARIANT. One can be simultaneously infected with two Covid variants at the same time. For example having Delta and Omicron (Deltacron). 18 cases of co-infections are confirmed in France. How do you know if you have a co-infection? A hybrid variant? Is it more dangerous? What symptoms? We take stock.
[Mis à jour le 4 mars 2022 à 10h12] One can be simultaneously infected with two Covid variants such as the Delta variant and the Omicron variant. “As of March 2, 2022, 18 sequences of this recombinant have been detected in France, including 13 during Flash surveys. These sequences correspond to cases from several regions and dating back to early January 2022, suggesting circulation at low levels for several weeks“indicates Public Health France in its epidemiological update of March 3. Public Health France had confirmed for the first time cases of co-infections and recombinations in France in his last variant risk analysis of Sars-Cov-2 published on February 23. Either we find the genetic material of both Delta and Omicron variants in the sampleor this co-infection has resulted in genetic recombination (“hybrid variant“). In January 2022, Leondios Kostrikis, professor of the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Cyprusannounced the discovery of a variant combining Delta and Omicron which he called “Deltacron“. With his team, they identified 25 cases of Deltacron whose sequences were sent to the international database Gisaid on January 7. How do you know if you have a co-infection ? What is the situation in France ? What are the symptoms ? Is it more dangerous ?
Definition: what is Deltacron?
In the case of a recombination, two viruses infect the same cell, and each release their genetic heritage (RNA). This new virus is therefore derived from two different viruses. In the case of the “Deltacron” variant, either we find the genetic material of both Delta and Omicron variants in the sampleor this co-infection has resulted in genetic recombination (“hybrid variant“).
What is the situation of Deltacron in France?
“Since February 18, a recombinant Delta/Omicron (to which no lineage name has yet been assigned) subject to close monitoring by Public Health France and the CNR Respiratory infection virus. The majority of its genome corresponds to the Delta variant but a large portion of the S gene corresponds to the Omicron variant (BA.1 sublineage)“indicates Public Health France in its epidemiological update of March 3, 2022. “As of March 2, 18 sequences of this recombinant have been detected in France, including 13 during Flash surveys. These sequences correspond to cases from several regions and dating back to early January 2022, suggesting circulation at low levels for several weeks“says the organization. Public Health France had confirmed for the first time cases of co-infections and recombinations in France in its latest risk analysis of Sars-Cov-2 variants published on February 23.
“These recombinants are difficult to detect because we do not know at first sight whether we are dealing with a co-infection or a hybrid. This is high-flying work in genomics.and” indicates Professor Bruno Lina, virologist, on France Inter Tuesday, March 1, 2022.”The detected cases are currently under investigation“says the head of the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infection Viruses in Lyon. It is within the framework of the sequencing carried out during the Flash surveys that the first cases of co-infections and recombinations appeared. “In France, enhanced monitoring of Delta/Omicron co-infections has been set up in order to detect possible recombinants as early as possible” added Public Health France. Before recalling the context: “Since the end of 2021, an Omicron wave has overlapped with a Delta wave in several regions of the world. This co-circulation of two variants on a large scale increases the probability of co-infections and therefore that of recombinants. Several suspected Delta/Omicron recombinants have been reported recently in the UK, USA and Australiaand others are under investigation“.
What are the symptoms of Deltacron?
“It is difficult to predict what the characteristics of such a recombinant will be compared to the two parental variants and to anticipate its impact on public health. This is why SARS-CoV-2 recombinants are under close scrutiny internationally.“indicates Public Health France. Today, the symptoms of a Deltacron do not seem to be different from those established for the coronavirus.
What are the dangers for individuals infected with Deltacron?
“These recombinants are subject to enhanced monitoringbecause they constitute major evolutionary events. It is difficult to predict what their characteristics will be in relation to the variants from which they are derived, and therefore their impact on public health in the event of circulation in the population.” emphasizes Public Health France.
What is the Deltacron situation in Cyprus?
In January 2022, Leondios Kostrikis, professor of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cyprusannounced the discovery of a variant combining Delta and Omicron which he called “Deltacron“. Together with his team, they identified 25 cases of Deltacron whose sequences were sent to the international database Gisaid on January 7.
Sources:
– Coronavirus: circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants, Updated February 28, 2022, Public Health France.
– Flash surveys: evaluation of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in France, Updated on February 28, 2022, Public Health France.