Study on the bioRxiv server reports that the SARS-CoV-2 KP.2 variant, despite lower infectivity, shows significant immune resistance and higher transmissibility compared to other variants, potentially impacting global public health and vaccine efficacy.
By Vijay Kumar MalesuApr 29 2024Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc. In a recent preprint* study posted to the bioRxiv server, a team of researchers analyzed the virological characteristics and epidemiological impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 FLiRT variant KP.2, which has demonstrated increased transmissibility and immune resistance.
Background The rapid emergence and diversification of the JN.1 variant and its descendant, KP.2, which shows significant alterations in spike protein structure and increased resistance to existing vaccines, underscore the necessity for further research to understand the implications for public health and vaccine development.
For the neutralization assays, serum samples were collected from individuals in various immunization and infection states. These included vaccinated individuals both with and without prior infections and those who had recovered from specific variant infections. Each serum sample was tested in quadruplicate against pseudoviruses harboring different S protein mutations.
SARS-Cov-2 Coronavirus Lentivirus Protein Pseudovirus Public Health Research Respiratory Severe Acute Respiratory Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Syndrome Vaccine Virus
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