• Dr.P.Anil Kumar
• Dr.N.Sreenivas
• Dr.G.Srinivas

Abstract The B.1.617 variant, which is widely considered to be one of the primary reasons behind the huge surge in number of infections across India during the second wave of the pandemic, has been termed as a ‘global variant of concern’ by WHO. It has already spread to more than 40 countries and several countries have put travel restrictions for passengers coming from India as a result of the surge in cases here. The B.1.617 variant with increased transmissibility is likely to affect more children in the form of third wave that is going to be a greatest concern across the world. Though the variant, which has two mutations — E484Q and L452R — in its spike protein, is believed to be driving the Covid surge in India, there is still no definitive evidence to conclude if it is deadlier or is causing a more severe form of infection. One reason why more children may be getting affected is because the B.1.617 variant has a mutation that makes it easier for the virus to latch onto human cells and cause an infection. Lab studies have shown that the B.1.617 variant can attach with more strength to the ACE-2 receptors, the site where the corona virus binds to our cells, than the earlier versions of the virus. Children generally have underdeveloped sinuses and fewer ACE-2 receptors which protect them from getting infected. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2s,or ACE-2, are the doors that allow SARS-CoV-2 to enter the body. Since children have less ACE-2 in their lungs, they are less likely to be affected. But the B.1.617 variant could have changed that, this variant can possibly attach with more strength to the ACE-2 receptors, which means it can then have less attachment sites and still infect people. This could be one of the reasons why children are more vulnerable to this new variant. The B.1.617 version of the corona virus carries the ominous nickname “double mutant,” but it has more than two sequence changes from older SARS-CoV-2 variants, and little is known so far about the effects of these alterations, if any, on disease severity or the virus’s ability to evade immunity gained through infection or vaccines. B.1.617’s double mutant moniker comes from changes it harbors that are similar to those in other known variants. One mutation, known as L452R, is also found in the B.1.427/B.1.429 variant first identified in California, where it has been associated with increased transmissibility. Another B.1.617 mutation, called E484Q, is similar to the E484K mutation found in the P.1 variant that was first detected in Brazil and the B.1.351 variant, also known as the South African variant. E484K is known as an “escape mutation” because it appears to help the virus partially evade immunity conferred by prior infection or vaccines. B.1.617 is now the dominant variant in India’s hardest-hit state, Maharashtra. In its most recent epidemiological update, released April 27, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that multiple other variants are also circulating in the country, and that “Preliminary modelling by WHO based on sequences submitted to GISAID suggest that B.1.617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility.” It is going to be leading to be a catastrophe leading to third wave and a global variant of concern.

Covid-19,SARS-CoV-2, B.1.617, Third Wave, WHO, E484Q, E484K, ACE-2

"Is SARS-CoV-2 Variant (B.1.617) is going to be a Global Variant of Concern?", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 1, page no.1270-1278, January-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2012369.pdf

"Is SARS-CoV-2 Variant (B.1.617) is going to be a Global Variant of Concern?", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 1, page no. pp1270-1278, January-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2012369.pdf