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Slack / Private Message Drop, p.334 [SLACK_000548] · slack_pm:msg:03509

Date: 2020-12-21 14:04
Type: chat message · slack
recipient: Robert F. Garry, Edward C. Holmes, Andrew Rambaut
speaker: Kristian G. Andersen

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Chronic infection seems more likely to me - however, I don't think we can rule out potential epizootic spilling back into humans. But all these mutations certainly look consistent with chronic infection

In context

A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.

2020-12-21 13:52 Andrew Rambaut open

We even considered it for a bit
2020-12-21 13:54 Edward C. Holmes open

Porton Down does have that bad rap after all
2020-12-21 13:54 Andrew Rambaut open

But given the South African outbreak has a very similar pattern I am still going for chronic immunocompromised human (and there are obviously lots in South Africa).
2020-12-21 13:56 Edward C. Holmes open

Totally agree. Might be good if DRASTIC were distracted for a while.
2020-12-21 14:04 Kristian G. Andersen

Chronic infection seems more likely to me - however, I don't think we can rule out potential epizootic spilling back into humans. But all these mutations certainly look consistent with chronic infection
2020-12-21 14:05 Kristian G. Andersen open

Bob, from the paper above - really does seem 501 is a key 'transmission' residue. Of course, 501T has also been observed.
2020-12-21 14:05 Andrew Rambaut open

It wouldn't be a simple epizootic - extensive transmission in mink didn't produce more than a few mutations
2020-12-21 14:06 Kristian G. Andersen open

Mink > rodents > humans - or some weird shit. But yeah, I agree - not consistent with what has been observedin mink and fully consistent with what has been observed in chronic infections.
2020-12-21 14:06 Andrew Rambaut open

South Africa are really worried about E484K (in conjunction with 501Y)

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