Rare Case: Virus Mutated Like Omicron in One Man

For most people, COVID-19 lasts only a few weeks. But in a rare medical case, scientists documented how the virus inside one patient mutated like Omicron during an infection that persisted for more than 750 days over two years. The unusual case involved a man living with advanced HIV, whose weakened immune system could not clear the virus on its own.

When the Immune System Cannot Fight Back

The patient, who was not on antiretroviral therapy, carried SARS-CoV-2 continuously from mid-2020 until mid-2022. During this time, researchers collected and analysed eight samples of the virus from his body. Because his immune defences were severely impaired, his body provided a unique environment where the virus could survive and change without being eliminated.

How the Virus Changed Over Two Years

The findings surprised researchers. Over the two-year infection, the virus accumulated 68 major (consensus) mutations and 67 minor (subconsensus) mutations. Importantly, some of these changes occurred in the spike protein, the same part of the virus that later made the Omicron variant highly infectious.

In fact, 10 of the mutations matched positions later found in the Omicron lineage, and strikingly, nine of them appeared in this patient before Omicron was officially detected worldwide in late 2021. This shows how a long-term infection can act as a breeding ground for unusual viral changes.

A Personal Infection, Not a Global Threat

Despite these mutations, the virus remained largely confined to the patient. Researchers found no evidence that it spread to others. Interestingly, some of the mutations were so rare in global databases that they likely represented virus adaptations specific to the patient’s body. This suggests that while the virus was evolving, it may have lost the ability to transmit easily outside this unique environment.

What This Means for the Future

This case highlights how persistent infections in immunocompromised individuals may contribute to viral evolution. Such cases can provide critical clues about how new variants, such as Omicron, might emerge. At the same time, it underscores the urgent importance of:

Ensuring timely access to HIV treatment
Expanding COVID-19 vaccination programs
Closely monitoring long-term infections in vulnerable groups

Conclusion

The study is more than just a medical milestone. It serves as a reminder that healthcare gaps leave fragile patients at greater risk and may even influence global health patterns. The story of a virus inside one patient that mutated like Omicron over 750 days reflects not only the complexity of medicine but also society’s responsibility to protect its most vulnerable members.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

Priya Bairagi

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I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.