No Bahrain mutation of Covid
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Prof. Dr Khaled Mubarak bin Dina of Microbiology and Immunology at the Arabian Gulf University has denied what was recently rumoured on social media about a Bahraini mutant of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
He said that the academic study he prepared in cooperation with Dr Hisham Ezzat and Dr Abdul Halim Dhaif Allah and published in Microbial Pathogenesis Journal did not find a genetic mutation specific to Bahrain.
Dr Bin Dina, however, confirmed that the genetic strains and mutations found in Bahrain match the variants spreading all over the world.
Dr Bin Dina added that by studying about 150 samples, they found the E484K mutation in six samples, and it is a mutation that has a greater ability to stick to the respiratory system and evade antibodies, and thus spread the disease.
This, however, cannot be called in any way a Bahraini mutation, Dr Bin Dina pointed out, rather it is the mutation that is widespread in several countries, including South Africa, Brazil and Britain.
Dr Bin Dina explained that knowing the type of genetic strains prevalent in Bahrain and the most prominent worrying mutations allows them to have a broader understanding of infections.
It thus helps the health community to determine the most effective treatment and vaccine to deal with these viruses, which supports the global struggle to address the coronavirus.
The study also found that the genetic strains of the virus present in Bahrain come from several countries, most of which are of Asian origin.
Regarding the reasons for the mutations, Prof. Dr Khaled Mubarak bin Dina of Microbiology and Immunology at the Arabian Gulf University said that they occur randomly, even some of which may harm the virus itself.
But other mutations may make the virus more contagious and dangerous, and it is these mutations that eventually prevail. If a person has acquired immunity through vaccinations or previous infection, the virus mutates, changing its shape to circumvent the immune system.
When asked if the new strains are more dangerous, Dr Bin Dina said there is no evidence that any of them may cause greater harm to most infected people.
As for the original strain, the risk remains greater in the elderly or those with chronic diseases. But because the virus is more contagious and just as dangerous as the original version, the risk of death may increase among the unvaccinated groups.
Therefore, obtaining the available vaccine prevents infection with these mutations, or the symptoms are mild in those infected. Dr Bin Dina noted that this study was prepared in March 2021 and based on preliminary results, as the doctor looks forward to continuing the study and discovering other mutations that come from different parts of the world.
Dr Bin Dina also thanked the Health Ministry and the Public Health Laboratory staff for depositing the genetic sequence of the virus in the Global Information Base (GISAID), which gives researchers the opportunity to study and analyse the information.
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