Despite living in a time when talk of “new strains” immediately sparks panic, a study published in Science that details the recent discovery of a new HIV strain shouldn’t necessarily set off all the alarm bells.
According to reporting in them. based on the study’s findings, the new variant of HIV-1, now known as the VB variant, is a strain of the most common subtype (subtype-B HIV-1) of HIV found in the U.S. and Western Europe. It’s categorized as “highly virulent,” causes white blood cell counts to decline twice as fast as other variants, and appears to be more transmissible pre-treatment.
The mutation or evolution of a virus to become more virulent—and therefore have even greater effects on hosts—has been seen in numerous studies, most notably and most recently via the discovery of the delta variant of COVID-19. But the sheer increase in rapidity of the VB variant and the estimate that those infected would develop AIDS “within two to three years after diagnosis, compared with six to seven years for those infected with other HIV strains,” makes it seem like a much scarier threat (via Nature).
The new strain has been documented as circulating in the Netherlands, and that doesn’t actually come as a surprise to researchers; the University of Oxford reports that concerns of a new HIV-1 variant have been ongoing for many years. However, based on findings regarding treatment reactions and results, “Individuals with the VB variant had similar immune system recovery and survival to individuals with other HIV variants.” And though this is hopeful news, researchers still stress the importance of quickly getting diagnoses and beginning treatment due to the nature of the virus and how rapidly it may cause an individual’s immune system strength to decline.
Nature also reports that the key to using this information wisely is to stay vigilant about the transmission of HIV, especially knowing this new variant is now circulating. The new strain does not warrant a “public health crisis,” but again, individuals who are potentially exposed need to remain conscious that time is of the essence. ABC News reiterates that there is no need for worry since “HIV medicines work just as well with the mutated virus as everyone else” and also makes note that the study published in Science determines the spread has been declining since 2010.
All in all, there’s no cause for alarm with this recent discovery, but knowledge is power. Scientists will continue to learn more about HIV and how it evolves as well as arm those at risk with more information on how to prevent and treat HIV if infected. Perhaps even one day, there will be a cure or entirely preventative vaccine; studies like this one only get us closer to that goal.
