Man sets a new record: Virus inside one patient mutated like Omicron during 2-year COVID infection

Scientists have reported a unique case of a COVID-19 infection lasting over 750 days in a patient with advanced HIV. The patient, who was not undergoing antiretroviral therapy, harbored the SARS-CoV-2 virus from mid-2020 to mid-2022. During this period, researchers collected eight clinical samples to analyze how the virus evolved within his weakened immune system.

The lengthy infection resulted in numerous mutations, with the virus accumulating 68 consensus and 67 subconsensus mutations. Some of these mutations affected the spike protein, which is significant because it shares characteristics with those found in the Omicron variant. Notably, ten mutations were similar to those identified later in Omicron, occurring before its official recognition in late 2021. Despite these changes, researchers determined that the virus remained primarily confined to the individual, with no indication of transmission to others.

This case suggests that persistent infections in immunocompromised patients could significantly influence viral evolution and potentially lead to new variants. The findings underscore the necessity for effective HIV treatment and monitoring long-term infections to mitigate such occurrences.