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Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets

Author(s): Suman Kumar Ray and Sukhes Mukherjee*

DOI: 10.2174/1871526522666220831101802

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A New Year, Newfangled COVID-19 Variant B.1.640.2 (IHU): What We Know So Far?

Article ID: e310822208284 Pages: 2

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Abstract

A new COVID-19 variant that no one currently wants has emerged with the start of the new year. Omicron, which was first discovered in November of last year, was only just beginning to be understood when another strain uncovered in France made headlines. On January 4, 2022, news of the variant exploded on social media, but cases of what is now known as variant B.1.640.2 (IHU) were initially discovered about two months prior. Evidence is still being gathered, but internet misinformation regarding the latest coronavirus variety is already rampant, as it was with Omicron. The majority of existing vaccines target SARS-spike CoV-2's protein, which the virus utilizes to enter and infect cells. Epidemiologists and virologists worldwide are concerned about the virus' spike protein, which plays a key role in how your body identifies and reacts to the virus. Spike proteins are produced, recognized, and defended against by our immune system. Your body and the vaccines you have had injected into your system have a far harder time fighting the virus when the amino acids in a protein are altered or removed.

Keywords: COVID-19, variant B.1.640.2, IHU, mutations, WHO, spike proteins.

[1]
What exactly is the new COVID strain 'IHU' found in France?. Available from: https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2022/01/06/what-exactly-is-the-new-covid-strain--ihu--found-in-france-.html (Accessed on: June 09, 2022).
[2]
New coronavirus variant 'IHU' identified in France Available from: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/new-coronavirus-variant-ihu-identified-in-france/article38108856.ece (Accessed on: June 09, 2022).
[3]
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[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1735383] [PMID: 34881204]
[4]
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Worry About IHU - The New COVID Variant in France -Yet, WHO Says.. Available from: https://www. forbes.com/sites/zacharysmith/2022/01/05/heres-why-you-shouldnt-worry-about-ihu-the-new-covid-variant-in-france-yet-who-says/?sh=674ea1f348b6 (Accessed on: June 09, 2022).
[5]
Ray SK, Mukherjee S. Spectrum of biochemical alterations with molecular and serological biomarkers in diagnosis of COVID-19: Searching for novel one to identify disease earlier with better prognosis and drug discovery. Recent Adv Anti-Infective Drug Discov 2021; 16(3): 179-81.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2772434416666211122112743]
[6]
WHO downplays threat from 'IHU' strain found in France. Available from: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/who-down-plays-threat-from-ihu-strain-found-in-france/articleshow/88702396.cms (Accessed on: June 09, 2022)