The Ministry of Health confirmed a case of re-infection with the new coronavirus variant in the Amazon. The discovery was made by Fiocruz in a 29-year-old woman with mild Covid-19 symptoms.
To confirm reinfection, it is necessary to perform a genomic analysis of the two viruses and compare the sequence of the RNA – “primary” DNA molecule with a single strand – to determine whether it is actually two different strains.
The analysis performed showed a pattern of mutations compatible with the variant of the Sars-CoV-2 virus recently identified by the Japanese Ministry of Health but originating in the Amazon.
The variant found by Japan has 12 mutations, one of which is the same as found in variants already identified in the UK and South Africa, implying greater potential for the transmission of the virus.
According to the Department of Health, the new variant was found by Fiocruz on Jan. 12, and the steward was notified by the Amazon state the following day.
The woman was first diagnosed with the infection on March 24, and on December 30, nine months later, she received the second positive diagnosis of Covid-19 from the RT-PCR test.
The steward also announced that the epidemiological surveillance information had been passed on to Opas (Pan American Health Organization) and Cievs (Network of the Center for Strategic Information and Health Monitoring Actions).
“The Department of Health recommended that states, federal district and municipalities continuously step up Covid-19 control activities, expand routine sequencing of Sars-CoV-2 viruses, investigate outbreaks and follow up contacts of every Covid-19 case He said in a note.
In Brazil, another case of a new infection due to a new variant of Sars-CoV-2 has been reported in the state of Bahia, which is still being investigated by the Ministry of Health.
It was identified by researchers at the D’Or Institute for Research and Education (Idor) during clinical examinations of a 45-year-old woman who had two different coronavirus infections: one on May 20 and one on October 26 with more severe symptoms.
The variant found with the name B.1.1.248, which was originally identified in South Africa, has the E484K mutation, which has been associated with a so-called “immune escape” or greater difficulty in neutralizing antibodies against the virus.