SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1’s New Spawns: PQ.1 and PQ.2 Acquire SARS1 Mutations, Raising Global Alarm
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 04, 2025 2 weeks, 16 hours, 17 minutes ago
Thailand Medical News: A New Chapter in the SARS-CoV-2 Saga
The relentless evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has taken a chilling turn with the emergence of PQ.1 and PQ.2, sub-lineages of the NB.1.8.1 variant, now sparking global concern. These variants, detected in regions from Asia to North America, are not just another blip on the radar—they carry mutations eerily reminiscent of the original SARS-CoV-1, the virus behind the 2003 outbreak. As scientists scramble to decode their potential, the world braces for what could be the next wave of the pandemic.
SARS-CoV-2 NB.1.8.1’s New Spawns: PQ.1 and PQ.2 Acquire SARS1 Mutations, Raising Global Alarm
This Thailand
Medical News report, among other sources, highlights the rapid rise of PQ.2, which has already claimed a 30% prevalence in Hong Kong by mid-May 2025. With a 38% growth advantage and 24% increased transmissibility over its NB.1.8.1 parent, PQ.2 is poised to spread like wildfire. PQ.1, while less documented, is believed to share similar traits, raising fears of a dual-threat scenario. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified NB.1.8.1 as a Variant Under Monitoring, but the mutations in its offspring demand urgent attention.
Mutations Echoing SARS-CoV-1
What sets PQ.1 and PQ.2 apart are their mutations, particularly in the Orf3a protein, a key player in viral infection and immune evasion. PQ.2 boasts mutations like Orf3a:W193R and Orf3a:S171L, with the former drawing parallels to a residue found in SARS-CoV-1. This mutation, as noted by Dr. Xu Zou from Tsinghua University, could enhance the virus’s ability to dodge the immune system, potentially rendering vaccines and prior immunity less effective.
While PQ.1’s specific mutations remain less clear, its shared lineage with PQ.2 suggests it may harbor similar changes.
These mutations are not just academic curiosities. The Orf3a:W193R mutation’s similarity to SARS-CoV-1 raises the specter of increased immune evasion, a trait that could fuel rapid spread in populations with waning immunity. Unlike the spike protein mutations that dominated earlier variants like Delta or Omicron, these Orf3a changes suggest a shift in how SARS-CoV-2 attacks, potentially bypassing immune defenses in novel ways.
Transmissibility on Steroids
PQ.2’s 38% growth advantage over other NB.1.8.1 sub-lineages is a red flag. This metric, reported by Thailand Medical News, indicates that PQ.2 is outpacing its relatives, with a 24% boost in transmissibility. In practical terms, this means more infections, faster outbreaks, and a greater strain on healthcare systems. Hong Kong’s alarming 30% prevalence by May 20, 2025, underscores the variant’s ability to dominate local transmission. PQ.1, though less prevalent, has been detected globally, hinting at its own potential to surge.
The increased transmissibility doesn’t necessarily mean deadlier disease, but it amplifies the risk of overwhelming hospitals, especially in regions with
aging populations or people who are more vulnerable to the virus such as the immunocompromised.
Severity: A Lingering Question
Are PQ.1 and PQ.2 more dangerous than their predecessors? The answer remains elusive. While their mutations suggest enhanced immune evasion, there’s no concrete evidence they cause more severe disease. Historical trends with SARS-CoV-2 show that variants like Omicron prioritized spread over virulence, leading to milder outcomes despite soaring cases. PQ.1 and PQ.2 may follow suit, but the lack of clinical data leaves room for concern.
The Orf3a mutations could, in theory, trigger stronger inflammatory responses, a hallmark of severe COVID-19 cases seen in earlier variants like Delta. However, without comprehensive studies on hospitalization rates or mortality, it’s too early to sound the alarm on severity. What’s clear is that their rapid spread could lead to more cases overall, indirectly increasing severe outcomes by sheer volume.
Global Response and the Path Forward
The emergence of PQ.1 and PQ.2 has galvanized scientists and health officials. The WHO’s monitoring of NB.1.8.1 and its sub-lineages emphasizes the need for robust genomic surveillance, a tool that has proven vital in tracking SARS-CoV-2’s evolution. Public health campaigns are also ramping up, urging mask-wearing and ventilation in high-risk areas like Hong Kong, where PQ.2 is gaining ground.
Researchers are racing to sequence more samples of PQ.1 and PQ.2 to pinpoint their mutations and assess their impact. Initiatives like GISAID and global health networks are critical for sharing data in real-time, ensuring that no region is caught off-guard. The lessons of past waves—supply chain disruptions, overwhelmed ICUs, and economic fallout—loom large, pushing governments to act swiftly.
A Wake-Up Call
The rise of PQ.1 and PQ.2, with their SARS-CoV-1-like mutations, is a stark reminder that the pandemic is far from over. These variants, born from NB.1.8.1, could reshape the global health landscape if left unchecked. While their full threat remains unclear, their ability to spread rapidly demands vigilance. As the world watches, the race is on to outsmart SARS-CoV-2’s latest gambit, with science and solidarity as our best weapons.
References:
https://github.com/cov-lineages/pango-designation/issues/2954
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