Drosten in the Interview: Do mutations in the Coronavirus soon harmless?

A Virus of the mutations, high-pitched bells in many directly to the alarm. Also, a few weeks ago, experts were divided over whether such a development is the Coronavirus was negative to assess.

The virologist at the Charité Berlin, Christian Drosten, now in the NDR to bear in mind Podcast, however, that a Mutation of the Coronavirus could even be advantageous.

Here, the expert refers to a previously published study by the University of Oxford. Within this, the scientists analyzed the virus populations of a total of 405 patients.

Different virus populations in patients

During these investigations, strains of the Virus, they found that some of the persons of the 405 subjects were at the same time, two different virus populations of Sars-Cov-2.

“The virus differentiate themselves a little and we have mutations that distinguish the various Branches of the young tree,” says Drosten.

It is, therefore, possible that patients wear different virus populations in. This could illustrate better by imagining the individual infections in a variety of colors.

Thus, there is green and red patients. The majority of the patients on the way, according to the virologists, although only one of the two colors.

Both Corona-mutations can be passed on

However, there are also patients who wear both colors, so both virus populations in. “The so-called colored patients.”

Drosten explained that such a both virus mutations Occur in a patient has already been observed in other diseases. “This phenomenon is not rare that there are these mixed virus populations.”

The persons concerned do not carry, however, both virus mutations in, and you can also give both mutations to other people.

Better adaptation by Mutation

The sounds in the first Moment, of course, to none-too-good news. Because on the one hand, this testifies to a succession of virus strains to meet high viability of the Virus.

On the other, it shows that the virus also meet a different level of development in a new to each other still can reproduce – this favors mutations.

This Population of mixed compositions, according to Drosten, however, is not necessarily something Bad. Because of this the Virus would have “a better chance to adapt to the people.”

This could lead to the fact that it is transferred better, “but in the nose remains, and is no longer a simple cold who cares not for the lungs.”

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Epidemics from weaknesses in the rule

It would also be possible that the Coronavirus developed into a more severe disease course. This would make for the development of the Virus, however, evolution due to the rather less sense.

Because as soon as the Virus would be to increase its replication level in all mucous membranes, “then it would be a more severe disease.”

This infection would weaken, according to Drosten, the body with violent symptoms. As the feel Concerned, however, sick faster, they would isolate themselves in earlier, and thus, fewer people infected.

Usually viruses would weaken epidemics because of this, the examples from the past show.

Coronavirus is harmless with time

In both possible cases, the Drosten shows in the Interview, represents the Virus with time, less of a Problem for the population:

The optimization of the Virus through a Mutation, according to Drosten, therefore, a factor which leads to the conclusion that the epidemic will, in time, harmless.

“As we rotate it, it will definitely be harmless, simply due to the population immunity. But maybe Evolution plays a role.”

Source

  • NDR (2020): Corona-Podcast (47) mutations can also offer hope, retrieved on 10.06.2020 https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/47-Mutationen-koennen-auch-Hoffnung-bieten,audio694966.html

Cornelia Bertram

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