Nagpur: International studies underlining the strong association of the Delta Plus variant to the mucosal lining of the lungs have prompted pulmonologists to exercise caution for patients with pre-existing respiratory disease.
In addition to strictly adhering to COVID-appropriate practices, including the proper use of quality masks, experts recommend patients with existing lung diseases achieve vaccine protection before the onset of the projected third wave of the COVID pandemic.
Pulmonologist Dr Manoj Pethe said studies have shown Delta Plus to be significantly more contagious, more communicable and toxic than its predecessors. “Certainly, we are learning that the affinity of delta plus towards the mucosal lining is higher. There are receptors in the lining to which this mutant version binds and binds itself,” he said.
Pethe, associated with Alexis Hospital, said, ‘The second wave of Kovid-19 was more unpredictable than the first. Therefore, we can see how infectivity and predictability factors changed in the past. Given that pattern, we can still expect surprises. ”
He said that patients with lung fibrosis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), lung cancer, chronic TB, etc. are at higher risk even after being vaccinated.
Dr Vikram Rathi, a pulmonologist associated with Kingsway Hospital, said the research papers show that the delta plus variant replicates faster and can even evade the body’s immunity. “Studies have shown that Delta Plus is 50% more transmissible than the earlier variants. It certainly has a greater affinity for the mucosal lining of the lungs, but how much damage it can cause is not yet clear,” he said.
“Patients with pre-existing chronic lung conditions are more likely to suffer from a moderate to severe form of the disease,” Dr Rathi said.
Another pulmonologist Dr Samir Arbat said the World Health Organization (WHO) has already cautioned about Delta Plus as the fastest and most fit variant ever. “With 50%-60% higher transmission rates, WHO studies have suggested that more variants can be expected,” Dr. Arbat said.
He also added that vaccination can effectively combat Delta Plus. “Existing vaccines have the potential to reduce mortality and therefore everyone should go for the jab,” he said. “People with weakened lungs are the ones who are at greater risk of this type. Such patients may suffer severe deterioration in lung function and the consequences may be more severe,” he said.
Pulmonologist Dr Vivek Gupta said that people with existing lung diseases or co-morbidities should go for delta plus variant and vaccination against third wave as a priority. “My experience of two waves suggested that patients with lung fibrosis were more severely affected than those with asthma and inhaler treatment,” he said.
Pulmonologist Dr Shashank Kharwade also underlined the fact highlighted by global virologists that Delta Plus has strong binding capacity to lung mucosal receptors and potential reduction in responses to monoclonal antibody therapies. “Obviously, patients with pre-morbid conditions are in the risk zone,” he said.
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