Emerging variant in SARS-CoV-2: Triple mutated Bengal strain (B.1.618)

Abstract

A new lineage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, called B.1.618, has been identified in India, which is predominantly circulating in West Bengal. This highly transmissible B.1.618 variant, designated as triple mutated Bengal strain (B.1.618) have mutations within the spike protein that may contribute to their increased transmissibility and that could potentially result in re-infection or resistance to vaccine elicited antibody. India has seen emergence of at least two unique mutations of SARS-Cov-2, but there are other infectious variants around the world that could be a factor too. Linage B.1.618 was first isolated in October 2020. It has the E484K mutation in common with several other variants, and showed significant spread in April 2021 in India. This variant has also been found in other countries like the USA, Switzerland, Singapore, and Finland, but not with the full suite of mutations found in India.