DELTA PLUS- VARIANT OF CORONA VIRUS

BACKGROUND

Union Health Ministry categorised the Delta Plus
variant of the novel coronavirus as a variant of concern.

DELTA PLUS VARIANT

• A further mutated form of the Delta variant
(B.1.617.2).

• Delta variant – Originated in India; predominantly
responsible for India’s second wave.

• Delta Plus has an additional mutation – K417N.
∆ Found in the receptor binding domain – through
which virus gains entry into the human cell.
• Variants of Concern by WHO:
∆ Delta Plus variant
∆ Alpha variant from the UK
∆ Beta variant from Brazil
∆ Gamma variant from South Africa
∆ Delta variant

• Three classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants:
∆ Variant of Interest
∆ Variant of Concern
∆Variant of High Consequence

VARIANT OF INTEREST

• A variant with specific genetic markers – associated
with changes to receptor binding and reduced
neutralization by antibodies. • May result in reduced efficacy of treatments,
potential diagnostic impact, increase in
transmissibility etc.

VARIANT OF CONCERN

• A variant with increase in transmissibility and more
severe disease. • May result in significant reduction in neutralization
by antibodies, reduced effectiveness of
treatments/vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.
• More attributes than VoI: Substantially
decreased susceptibility, reduced
vaccine-induced protection, increased
transmissibility etc.

VARIANT OF HIGH CONSEQUENCE

• Prevention measures/medical countermeasures – have significantly
reduced effectiveness.

• More attributes than VoC: significant
reduction in vaccine effectiveness,
significantly reduced susceptibility to
approved therapeutics, more severe
clinical disease etc.