What is Currently Known About the SARS-CoV2 Variants of Concern

摘要

The following four variants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are currently spreading worldwide and are labeled as Variants of Concern (VOC) according to the World Health Organization (WHO): the B.1.1.7 (also called 501Y. V1 or “SARS-CoV-2 VUI-202012/01”) variant detected in the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2020, the B.1.351 (also called 501Y.V2) variant discovered in August 2020 in South Africa, the P.1 (also called B.1.1.28.1) variant discovered later in December 2020 in Brazil and Japan, and the B.1.617 variant discovered in India being the most recent addition to the list [1]. The three VOC from UK, South Africa and Brazil can have two mutations in common: the N501Y and E484K spike protein mutations, with the latter being more prevalent in the B.1.351 and P.1 variants [1]. According to the WHO, as of April 20, 2021, the presence of the UK, the South African and the Brazilian variants was reported respectively in 125, 67, and 43 countries, and as of May 2021, the Indian variant was recorded in 44 countries [1]. Moreover, the VOC phylodynamics are continuously updated on animated maps on the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data website. On top of these VOC, there are several additional variants of interest that are currently being investigated at national and international levels including the P.2 variant (also called B.1.1.28.2) detected in Brazil, and the CAL.20C (also called B.1.427/B.1.429) variant discovered in California [1].