Pirola Proves to Be Less Lethal

Two US scientific teams conducted lab experiments to assess the effectiveness of antibodies from vaccinated and previously infected individuals against current variants of the Coronavirus, including the highly mutated BA.2.86, also known as Pirola. The results provide reassurance rather than alarm.

The research revealed that our immune systems can recognize and combat Pirola as effectively, if not slightly better, than other circulating variants of the COVID XBB variant. Notably, individuals who had the most robust responses against BA.2.86 were those who had recovered from an XBB subvariant infection within the past six months.

Dr. Dan Barouch, leading one of the labs, stated that “BA.2.86 essentially is not a further immune escape compared with current variants,” indicating that Pirola may not be as worrisome as initially thought.

However, not all news is positive. Another variant, FL.1.5.1, responsible for approximately 15% of new Covid-19 infections in the US, displayed the highest level of immune evasion in the lab tests, raising concerns among variant trackers due to its unique constellation of mutations. In a separate study, Dr. David Ho and his team tested blood plasma from various individuals, including those who received multiple vaccine doses and those who recovered from breakthrough infections of BA.2 and XBB subvariants. The results indicated that antibodies in the blood effectively recognized BA.2.86, similar to their response to other circulating variants.

Despite these encouraging findings, vigilance remains crucial. The Omicron wave, while technically milder, resulted in numerous hospitalizations and deaths, highlighting the virus’s adaptability and the fragility of our defenses in the face of significant viral shifts. Staying alert and cautious is essential to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 variants.