Delta Plus, a variant of coronavirus

GS PAPER III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Context: Delta Plus is a sub-lineage of the Delta variant first detected in India, which has acquired the spike protein mutation called K417N.

• India has found around 40 cases of the Delta coronavirus variant carrying a mutation that appears to make it more transmissible, and advised states to increase testing.

What is Delta Plus?

• The variant, called “Delta Plus” in India, was first reported in a Public Health England bulletin on June 11.
• It is a sub-lineage of the Delta variant first detected in India and has acquired the spike protein mutation called K417N, which is also found in the Beta variant first identified in South Africa.
• Some scientists worry that the mutation, coupled with other existing features of the Delta variant, could make it more transmissible.
• The mutation K417N has been of interest as it is present in the Beta variant (B.1.351 lineage), which was reported to have immune evasion property.
• K417N was known to reduce the effectiveness of a cocktail of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-delta-plus-a-variant-of-coronavirus-with-k417n-mutation-7372317/