It has been suggested that this article be merged into Variants of SARS-CoV-2. (Discuss) Proposed since September 2024. |
The term variant of concern (VOC) for SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a category used for variants of the virus where mutations in their spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) substantially increase binding affinity (e.g., N501Y) in RBD-hACE2 complex (genetic data), while also being linked to rapid spread in human populations (epidemiological data).[1]
Before being allocated to this category, an emerging variant may have been labeled a variant of interest (VOI),[2] or in some countries a variant under investigation (VUI).[3] During or after fuller assessment as a variant of concern the variant is typically assigned to a lineage in the Pango nomenclature system[4] and to clades in the Nextstrain[5] and GISAID[6] systems.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been observed to mutate, with certain combinations of specific point mutations proving to be more concerning than others.[7] This was principally for reasons of transmissibility and virulence, and also with regard to the possible emergence of escape mutations.
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