Business Insider, and other media have announced the possibility Omicron infection could boost Delta resistance. However, they are relying on a small South African study, which may or may not be statistically relevant. None the less we report the finding here, on the basis Africa Health Research Institute is fast gaining international respect.
The Small Sample on Which Those Reports Depend
The researchers obtained blood samples from 13 participants who contracted Omicron virus in November or December 2021. As can be seen from the table below they were aged between 20 and 60, and represent both genders equally. Moreover, approximately half had COVID-19 vaccines either by Pfizer or J & J.
The researchers wanted to know more about evolving Omicron immunity. However, they were also curious to know whether an Omicron infection could also boost Delta resistance.
Evidence Omicron Infections Could Boost Delta Resistance
1… The researchers measured all 13 volunteers’ ability to neutralize Omicron and Delta variants as they joined the project. And then they repeated this 14 days later.
2… When they compared the two results, they discovered Omicron resistance had increased 14 fold. But they also found a 4.4 fold increase in resistance to Delta too.
3… They hoped this would reduce Delta’s ability to re-infect, and wondered whether Omicron might displace Delta. However, we should remember their sample was small.
Further Limitations to the Africa Health Research Institute Study
Scientists have taken to releasing findings without waiting for peer review confirmation, because of the urgency of the COVID-19 epidemic. Africa Health Research Institute judged their information sufficiently important to self-publish on MEDRXIV on this basis.
We should also hold in mind Omicron does not allow time for larger studies taking months. But we’ll know within weeks whether the medical fraternity agrees with this intriguing finding.
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Preview Image: Shift in Delta Resistance
