The recent detection of the novel coronavirus XE variant in a 50-year-old woman in Mumbai marks its first reported instance in India. The XE variant is a recombinant sub-variant of the Omicron virus, which was responsible for the third wave of Covid-19 in the country. Despite its newfound presence, there is no immediate evidence suggesting that this variant is more dangerous than others.
Understanding the XE Variant
The Omicron variant proved to be a significant contributory factor in the spreading of the virus in 2022, accounting for over 90% of Covid-19 infections reported. This strain has two known sub-variants, BA.1 and BA.2. The XE variant is a ‘recombinant’, meaning it carries mutations present in both BA.1 and BA.2 strains of Omicron. The occurrence of such recombinant variants is not unusual. For instance, variants with characteristic mutations of both Delta and Omicron have been identified in the past.
The XE variant was first identified in the United Kingdom in January 2022. Till date, over 600 XE samples have been discovered across several countries.
The Threat Posed by XE
Currently, there’s no evidence indicating that the XE variant significantly differs from other Omicron strains. However, it has been observed to be about 10% more transmissible than the dominant BA.2 variant. During the third wave in India, the BA.2 variant was the most widespread. It is essential to consider the constant possibility of a fresh wave of infections, as the virus continues to mutate and is yet to be entirely eradicated.
Formation of New Variants
The process of viral multiplication often fails to replicate an exact copy of the original virus. This could result in variations in the virus’s genetic sequence over a period of time. These changes, or mutations, could lead to the formation of new viral variants. Variants can present a single mutation or multiple.
When a new variant demonstrates different functional properties than the original virus and establishes itself in a population, it can be referred to as a new strain of the virus. Not all variants develop into strains.
Previous Year Questions from UPSC Civil Services Examination
In 2016, a term ‘transcriptome’ related to developments in Bioinformatics was discussed. The term refers to the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism. Unlike a genome which is stable, a transcriptome actively changes.
In the same examination, there was a question relating to the cultivation of Bacteria, Fungi, and Virus in an artificial/ synthetic medium. Only Bacteria and Fungi can be cultured in such mediums. Viruses require a living host cell for replication.
Sources: IE