Researchers from the Netherlands found that in Russia and Germany in the summer of 2021 a new strain of coronavirus arose and began. The preprint of scientists with its description is published on Biorxiv.
By August 2021, as noted by researchers from the University of Maastricht, 533 cases of infection with a new strain B.1.1.523 were revealed. Most of them were observed in Russia and Germany, but there were cases in the United States and Australia. “Phylogenetic analysis makes it possible that the country of origin of the strain is most likely Russia, since the first strain was recorded in Moscow,” the researchers say.
Scientists noted that in the genome B.1.1.523 combines key mutations “beta” – and “delta” -variants SARS-COV-2, in particular, mutations associated with a change in the form of S-protein – a virus key tool for Penetration into the cell and further replication there. “He may be of interest (according to the Classification of WHO – approx.” Tape.ru “) option and must be carefully monitored, summarize the researchers.