21 coronavirus mutations identified in HIV-positive South African woman

An HIV-positive woman in South Africa remained infected with the coronavirus for nine months, during which time the virus accumulated 21 mutations in her body, reads a study published on the website of the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), Report informs via RIA Novosti.

As noted, the woman contracted the beta coronavirus strain, while she did not receive proper treatment for HIV, which she was infected with at birth, for a long time.

The 22-year-old woman with uncontrolled progressive HIV infection had SARS-CoV-2 beta for nine months, with the virus accumulating more than 20 additional mutations, said the study conducted by scientists from the universities of Stellenbosch and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.