A new study has recently found that coronavirus may mutate speedily when harboured by immunosuppressed individuals, like those not taking medication to treat HIV, and this may lead to the development of new variants of COVID-19.
According to a study, a South African woman who was suffering from inadequately treated HIV, and harboured coronavirus for nine months saw the respiratory virus that developed at least 21 mutations while in her body. The study, led by scientists from Stellenbosch and the University of KwaZulu-Natal showed that, once the 22-year-old followed the anti-retroviral medication used to treat HIV and her immune system strengthened she was able to overcome the coronavirus infection within six to nine weeks. However, the research has not been peer-reviewed.
“This case, like others before, describes a potential pathway for the emergence of novel variants,” the scientists said, stressing that it was still a hypothesis. “Our experience reinforces previous reports that effective antiretroviral treatment is the key to controlling such events.”
The study adds proof that coronavirus may mutate quickly when harboured by immunosuppressed individuals, such as those who are not taking any medication to treat HIV, and this may lead to the development of new variants. The beta variant, which the patient in the study was infected with, was discovered in South Africa and was recognized as omicron. South Africa is the country that has the world’s biggest HIV epidemic with about 8.2 million of its 60 million people infected with the virus that weakens the immune system of the body.
The scientists said, the COVID-19 harboured by the patient in the study developed at least 10 mutations on the spike protein, which allows it to fix with cells, and 11 other mutations. However, some of the changes were common to those seen in the variants like omicron and lambda, while some were changes were constant with mutations that allow the virus to escape antibodies.