The newly emerged PJ.2.1 lineage initially surfaced in Ontario before establishing footprint across ten U.S. states and several global regions including Europe and Asia. While laboratory tests indicate it does not severely bypass current mRNA vaccine protections, its spike protein exhibits a heightened affinity for the human ACE2 receptor. In controlled experiments, the pathogen infected low-receptor kidney cells more efficiently than rival strains. Scientists are now investigating whether this increased cellular affinity impacts clinical disease severity or causes complications in non-respiratory organs like the gut and brain.
Key points
Existing updated vaccines continue to provide robust antibody neutralization despite the…: Existing updated vaccines continue to provide robust antibody neutralization despite the large number of mutations present on the variant.
Enhanced cellular receptor binding could expand the range of infectable cells and drive h…: Enhanced cellular receptor binding could expand the range of infectable cells and drive higher overall transmissibility.
Further scientific studies are underway to assess whether the strain causes increased cli…: Further scientific studies are underway to assess whether the strain causes increased clinical severity in the human brain and gut.
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A newly identified Covid-19 variant, PJ.2.1, is spreading across multiple countries after emerging in Canada in May 2026. Researchers have found that the variant may have an increased ability to infect human cells, including those with low levels of the ACE2 receptor. However, early laboratory findings suggest it does not significantly evade antibodies produced by existing Covid-19 vaccines. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring as the virus evolves.
According to a report published in the Journal of Infection, the variant was first detected in Ontario, Canada, on May 2, 2026.
It has since spread to several parts of the United States, Europe and Asia. Researchers said wastewater surveillance data showed that PJ.2.1 was the fastest-growing Covid-19 variant in the US at the time of their analysis.
In the US, the variant was first identified in a patient in New York City on June 30. Subsequent cases were reported in California, Arizona, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado and Florida.
It has also been detected in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, France and Spain. In Spain, researchers…
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