Within-Host and Between-Host Evolution in SARS-CoV-2-New Variant's Source

Some of the newly emerging corona viral variants show high numbers of mutations. This is unexpected for a virus with a low mutation rate due to an inherent proof-reading system. Could such a variant arise under very special conditions occurring in a host where the virus replicates and mutates in a rather unlimited fashion, such as in immune compromised patients? The virus was shown to replicate in an immunosuppressed cancer patient for more than 105 days and might be a source of new variants. These patients are asymptomatic and the virus may therefore escape detection and attention and be high-risk. Similarly, HIV-infected individuals may be immunocompromised and support coronavirus replication with increased mutation rates. The patients may promote within-host evolution. Some of the viruses present in such a highly mutagenic swarm or quasispecies within one patient may become founders and cause a pandemic by further between-host evolution. B.1.1.7 with 23 mutations may be such a case. Immunosuppressed patients can be identified and treated by the synthetic antibody cocktails as passive immunization and kept under control. Immunosuppressed patients can be easily identified and supervised by healthcare workers-once they become aware of the risk-to avoid new variants with pandemic potential.

Automated summary

Some newly emerging corona viral variants with high mutation rates have been found in immune compromised patients, showing potential to be sources of new variants with pandemic potential. Immunosuppressed patients may escape detection, highlighting the need for healthcare workers' attention and treatment.