PGI sends fresh samples for genome sequencing to Delhi

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 20

Amid rising concerns over the Delta variant and its mutation into highly infectious Delta plus, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has sent a fresh batch of new samples for genome sequencing to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi.

‘Delta plus’ variant

The ‘delta plus’ variant is a mutated version of the more aggressive B.1.617.2 strain that drove the second wave of infection in India. It is characterised by K417N mutation in the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 virus that causes Covid-19 disease. The ‘delta plus’ variant is resistant to the monoclonal antibody cocktail recently authorised in the country.

This time, we have picked the samples of severely ill patients and also of those who died due to the infection. Besides, samples of paediatric patients, who suffered from Covid for long, have also been sent for genome sequencing. It will help us find out the connection between the severity of the disease and the variant.- Prof Mini P Singh, Virologist at the PGI

However, instead of picking random samples, this time the institute has picked the samples of severely critical Covid-19 patients who were admitted to the ICU wards late in the month of May.

Prof Mini P Singh, virologist at the PGI, said: “This time, we have picked the samples of severely ill patients and also of those who have died due to the infection. Besides, samples of paediatric patients, who suffered from Covid for long, have also been sent for genome sequencing. It will help us find out the connection between the severity of disease and the variant.”

As many as 70 per cent of the 60 samples sent by the PGI for genome sequencing in March turned positive for the UK variant of Covid-19. The highly transmissible B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 has been found in five of the 23 samples sent by the institute in May.

The highly transmissible Delta variant or B.1.617.2 was also found in Chandigarh, according to genomic characterisation study conducted by scientists from the National Centre for Disease Control and the CSIR, Delhi.

The ‘delta plus’ variant is a mutated version of the more aggressive B.1.617.2 strain that drove the second wave of infection in India. It is characterised by K417N mutation in the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 virus that causes Covid-19 disease. The ‘delta plus’ variant is resistant to the monoclonal antibody cocktail recently authorised in the country.