- Doctors in Brazil found an even more dangerous type of coronavirus infection, a double infection with two separate strains.
- The researchers detailed two cases of COVID-19 with people in their 30s infected with both the Brazilian mutation (P.2) and a different strain circulating in Brazil.
- These coinfections can lead to the creation of additional mutations, the researchers said.
Tens of millions of people worldwide have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with several million undergoing the full two-dose regimen. In addition, two other vaccine manufacturers have just announced positive Phase 3 results for additional candidate vaccines that may soon be authorized for emergency use – the Novavax and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. But COVID-19 has also changed, just in time for vaccines. After all, the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates like any other microorganism.
The final weeks of 2020 brought news of two highly infectious mutant strains of coronavirus, including the UK (B.1.1.7) and South Africa (B.1.351) versions. In early January, news of a Brazilian strain (P2 or B.1.1.28) surfaced and governments around the world began to take steps to reduce the spread of these highly infectious variations. This includes additional genetic testing to understand how the new strains were spreading in their countries, which allowed some researchers to discover an even more dangerous coronavirus infection that can occur.
Best deal of the day 
Purell is still so hard to find in stores – but there are huge discounts on Amazon! List price:$ 75.60 Price:$ 51.90 ($ 0.54 / Fl Oz) You save:$ 23.70 (31%) 
Available on Amazon, BGR can receive a commission Available on Amazon BGR can receive a commission
The coronavirus has been mutating since the beginning. Some studies have shown that the version that arrived in Europe and the U.S. in March 2020 was more infectious than Wuhan’s. Scientists tracked mutations during the pandemic to understand how the virus evolves and to ensure that vaccines work. The drugs Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna are still effective against the UK strain, while the South African strain may reduce its effectiveness. The drug Johnson & Johnson was tested in tests against the South African mutation, and the company showed impressive effectiveness against this strain.
With more researchers tracking the new mutations, it is not surprising to hear that doctors in Brazil have identified two people who were simultaneously infected with two different strains of mutant coronaviruses. This is a worrying development, indicating that people can take more than one strain from their communities, with each capable of replicating within the body to the point that the two distinct versions would appear in genetic tests.
Brazilian researchers posted their findings in a study that was not peer-reviewed, for Reuters. The two patients in question were in their 30s and tested positive for the P.2 mutation and a different strain. His symptoms were mild. One person had a dry cough, while the other had a cough, sore throat and headache. None of the people needed hospitalization.
The research indicates that different variants of the same virus can coexist within the same host, and this phenomenon can favor new mutations.
“These coinfections can generate combinations and generate new variants even more quickly than what has happened,” said the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Fernando Spilki. Reuters. “It would be another evolutionary path for the virus.”
This may not be the first time that several strains of the virus have inhabited the same host. It can be a common occurrence in locations where multiple versions of the coronavirus are spreading within communities. Researchers are conducting more genetic tests now than before, while searching for the most worrying strains. This in turn would increase the chances of discovering these double infections.
It is not clear whether any mutations in the UK, South Africa or Brazil may have developed from undetected double infections. A few weeks ago, researchers in Italy found a local mutation that developed within an immunocompromised patient who tested positive for COVID-19 for several months. The researchers speculated that this mutation may be the precursor to the UK strain, but have been unable to prove it.
Best deal of the day Purell is still so hard to find in stores – but there are huge discounts on Amazon! List price:$ 75.60 Price:$ 51.90 ($ 0.54 / Fl Oz) You save:$ 23.70 (31%) Available on Amazon, BGR can receive a commission Available on Amazon BGR can receive a commission
Chris Smith started writing about gadgets as a hobby and, before he knew it, was already sharing his views on technology with readers around the world. Whenever he’s not writing about gadgets, he miserably fails to stay away from them, although he tries desperately. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.