The data about the complete genome SARS-CoV-2 put in the international GISAID repository for the first time by the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemiţanu” (USMF) are important and could be taken into consideration in the development of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, academician Stanislav Groppa, pro-rector for research at the University, stated in a video interview for IPN.
“The results of any laboratory are included in the records of international libraries. The results we achieved were already published in the international registers of the virus and practically all the researchers can access and see them. The labs that are working out treatment strategies or vaccines are analyzing the obtained results so that all the strains, including those from Moldova, are considered in the process of inventing the vaccine,” stated the pro-rector.
A geographical picture about the SARS-CoV-2 strains that circulate in the Republic of Moldova was obtained on August 24. According to the academician, this scientific accomplishment is due to the cooperation with the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB). For the complete sequencing of the viral genome SARS-CoV-2, samples chosen from patients with different clinical forms, from different geographic areas of the Republic of Moldova, were sent to the ICGEB in March.
Stanislav Groppa said the sequencing of the genome of SARS-CoV-2 is necessary in order to know its structure so as to later find an antidote. The development of a vaccine implies full knowledge of the strains. It should be known what strain is typical of the population so as to later select the strategies and vaccines that correspond to the given strain. On the one hand, the vaccine should be efficient. On the other hand, it should not cause pathological side effects and therapeutic efficacy should be obtained with small doses. “Regrettably, Moldova does not have the necessary technologies for developing a vaccine”.
Stanislav Groppa related that the achieved results show the structure of SARS-CoV-2 is complex. The virus is large in size, is characterized by a number of genes and proteins. In the transmission process, the virus can model its structure.
The analysis of data in accordance with the GISAID register shows the strains that were recorded in Moldova form part of the “G” group of strains and the “V” strains. These two strains are typical of the European states and not only. Strain “V” has its origins in the UK. “We can say that we have a basis for studying the strains that two-three months ago were typical of the population of the Republic of Moldova”.
According to the academician, in process of transmitting the virus from China, its structure changed and a number of mutations appeared that modified the virulence and behavior of this virus in relation to other diseases. The characteristics of the virus and also of the host person are important. The last data show there is predisposition to the production of a substance called interferon in persons with severe forms of the disease. These persons have an inborn particularity to synthetize antibodies to the produced interferon and this way they become active when COVID-19 appears or when they have another haplotype of genes that also causes the interferon to be less active and is synthetized and can become a barrier in the evolution of the disease.
In another development, the academician said that only several cases of reinfection of persons cured of COVID-19 have been documented so far. In Moldova, the creation of collective immunity to the coronavirus is out of the question now as collective resistance to the virus appears when over 50% of the population had been carriers of the virus or had been immunized. In Moldova, this rate is now at about 2%. “It should be considered the possibility of swiftly purchasing vaccines and of analyzing other strategies that can lead to the diminution of the number of infections,” stated Stanislav Groppa.
He also noted that the difference between the flu virus and SARS-COV-2 is that the second, in serious forms, brings changes to the cardiovascular and circulatory systems, with formation of blood clots, with acute respiratory failure, with pneumonias that are not typical of the flu virus. A person can have flu and COVID-19 simultaneously and the latter can have much more serious effects. The virus that causes COVID-19 is large and penetrates the body by different ways. To stop the aggressive action of SARS-CoV-2, the population should be immunized against flu. The people can find out if they got infected with flu or with the novel coronavirus by doing a COVID-19 test.
Stanislav Groppa noted the authorities that manage the epidemiological situation in Moldova know the research results. The measures that should be taken amid the rising number of cases of COVID-19 include the raising of the people’s awareness of the necessity of obeying the protective measures and implementation of special educational programs for adults and children.
