A new preprint study sheds light on the transmissibility, infectivity, and immune resistance of the new variant BA.2.86.
BA.2.86 bears more than 30 mutations in the spike (S) protein compared to XBB and the parental BA.2.
BA.2.86 has been detected in Europe, North America, and Africa, suggesting that this variant may spread silently worldwide. As of August 13, 2023, the WHO has designated it as a variant under monitoring.
In the paper from several universities in Japan, including the University of Tokyo, the researchers wanted to know why the BA.2.86 is spreading fast.
Compared to the current dominant variant in the US, the EG.5.1, BA.2.86 has a more excellent viral fitness or replicative capacity.
The research aims to answer the question, Are the mutations in the BA.2.86 increasing its infectivity?
The short answer is no.
When they tested the BA.2.86 against antibodies against XBB variants like EG.5.1, they found that the antibody titers were significantly (1.4) lower than those against EG.1.
In real life, it means that people who developed antibodies against EG.5.1 will not have an effective anybody response against BA.2.86.
They also tested the antibodies from people injected with the 3rd-dose monovalent, 4th-dose monovalent, 4th-dose BA.1 bivalent, and 4th-dose BA.5 bivalent mRNA vaccines.
The result is that there were very little to no antiviral effects against the BA.2.86!
Next, they tested three monoclonal antibodies against the BA.2.86: Bebtelovimab, Sotrovimab, and Tixagevimab that worked against a previous variant BA.2. Some hospitals use monoclonal antibodies to treat severe SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Again, the results showed that the three monoclonal antibodies did not exhibit antiviral effects against the BA.2.86!
Comment:
Did they see the harmful effects of the mRNA shots on the immune system?
I recently wrote about that subject in Pfizer Jab Alters Immune Response in Children and Adults