The state does not have the facility to conduct cell culture study of Covid-19 virus

Bengaluru: Karnataka has officially reported that 20 people have been found infected with the B.1.617 variant, commonly known as the double mutant of the Covid-19 virus, but there has not been any further cell culture research.

The neurovirology lab at Nimhans that conducted genomic sequencing of cluster cases in Karnataka has informed that they have no infrastructure for such high-end research. Presently, double mutant strain samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for cell culture.

By research on cell culture, we can determine the transmission rate and reproduction number of the mutant virus.

Out of the 20 confirmed samples, 15 are from cluster outbreaks in apartments in Dasarahalli and Bommanahalli in Bengaluru. The other five are from Kalaburagi. One common factor is that there were many people who had travel history to Maharashtra.

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) has assured Nimhans to offer Rs 2.3 crore to conduct Covid-related research which includes recruiting staff and enhancing infrastructure for genomic sequencing. Presently, the lab has six technicians, four faculty and one senior resident, apart from 15 PhD students. They also conduct non-Covid research.

Dr V Ravi retired HOD of the lab and nodal officer for genetic sequencing of SARSCoV2 in Karnataka said, “We cannot dedicate everyone to only Covid-related research. It’s not our mandate.”  He said, “We are doing our bit. We are not a lab like Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad or NIV.”

Due to lack of funds, shortage of resources and other technical challenges, the scientific community in Karnataka has faced many challenges since the outbreak of the pandemic. According to the sources in Nimhans, the biosafety level-3 lab at the institute, which is crucial for Covid testing was closed the whole of 2020 and was reopened only in February 2021.

Dr Giridhara R Babu said that the researchers in UK have already discovered that the double mutant strains are highly infectious.

He said, “But, there too, no cell culture analysis has been done. Researchers have based their findings on the increase in cases reported each week. In the absence of cell culture studies, this is only corroborative evidence. The exponential rise in cases suggests this variant is the cause of the spread.”

He added that the study by INSACOG will highlight if only this variant is at play or other variants are also involved. It is presently conducting genomic sequencing of 5% swab samples collected from across India.