The continuous rise of the Delta Variant of Covid-19 seems to be unceasing news. However, a new strain, referred to as the Lambda Variant (LV), is emerging and posing a new threat. Although it is dominant in Peru, there has been no reported case of LV in India yet.
Key Aspects of the Lambda Variant
Initially identified in Peru in December 2020, the Lambda strain has since become the dominant variant in the South American country, with an alarming 81% of samples found carrying it. Until recently, the variant was largely concentrated within a handful of South American countries, including Argentina and Ecuador. Nevertheless, since April, over 25 countries have reported cases of the Lambda Variant. Formerly known as C.37 by its formal scientific name, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated this strain as the seventh and newest Variant of Interest (VOI).
Variants of Interest and Variants of Concern Explained
Designating a strain as a Variant of Interest implies that the genetic changes involved are predicted or known to affect transmissibility, the severity of the disease, or immune escape. Moreover, it acknowledges that the variant has caused substantial community transmission in multiple countries and population groups.
On the other hand, a strain becomes a Variant of Concern when there’s evidence of increased transmissibility, more severe disease resulting in heightened hospitalisations or deaths, significant reduction in neutralisation by antibodies developed during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures. Four other variants – Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta ā are considered Variants of Concern due to their higher threat level. To avoid wedging a link with the country of origin, these strains have recently been named after letters of the Greek alphabet.
Concerns Associated With the Lambda Variant
The Lambda Variant carries at least seven significant mutations in the spike protein, compared to the three found in the Delta variant. These mutations could carry implications, including the possibility of increased transmissibility or enhanced resistance to antibodies developed either through natural infection or vaccination. The coronavirus spike protein plays a critical role as it binds to a human protein to initiate the infection process. The LV has shown greater infectivity than both the Alpha and Gamma variants, which are known to have originated in the UK and Brazil respectively. A recent study also reported decreased effectiveness of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine (Coronavac) against the Lambda variant.
The Road Ahead For India
India, which is still recovering from the debilitating second wave, will need to proactively watch for and prevent the spread of any new variants that could trigger another wave. Broad-based research is needed at universities, medical colleges, and biotechnology companies. This effort should be adequately funded and scholars involved rewarded and appreciated. It is only through such collective measures that the rising threat of newly emerging variants like the Lambda variant can be effectively managed.
