The evolution of SARS-COV-2 continues to surprise the scientific community. One of the recent variants that drew attention is the XFG, quickly nicknamed the “varying Frankenstein” by certain experts and the media. This popular name reflects the hybrid and “assembly” nature of this strain, resulting from the genetic fusion of two distinct variants.
The origin of the nickname: why “Frankenstein”?
The term “Frankenstein” refers to the recombinant nature of the XFG variant.
What is a recombinant? A recombinant variant appears when a person is simultaneously infected with two different strains of the virus. During replication, the genetic equipment of the two strains mixes, creating a new hybrid line which has characteristics of both parents.
The ancestry of XFG: The XFG is a descendant of the Omicron line, resulting from a recombination between sub-variants (like lf.7 and lp.8.1.2), all derivatives of the dominant strain Jn.1. This complex genetic combination, as an “assembly of parts”, earned him the nickname “Frankenstein”.
Characteristics and transmission
The XFG is placed under close surveillance by world health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) which has classified it among the variants under surveillance (VUM) or Under Monitoring variants.
Increased contagiosity: The XFG has shown rapid progression in several regions of the world, notably in Europe and the United States, where it quickly became dominant in certain countries. This growth suggests that it has a significant growth advantage compared to competing strains. Its mutations probably allow it better immune escape (ability to bypass antibodies acquired by vaccination or previous infection).
Propagation: Despite its relatively recent identification (it began to spread to Asia, then spread worldwide), it quickly exceeded the previous subvariants to become a key line in global surveillance.
Symptoms
Current data indicate that the symptoms of the XFG variant are largely similar to those of other omicron sub-chicns. However, some clinical reports have highlighted a potentially more notable symptom with the XFG (and sometimes other recent variants):
Hoarseness / voted voice: a hoarse or shifted voice is a symptom that has often been highlighted by doctors observing this varying, in addition to conventional signs.
Frequent symptoms remain:
Sore throat
Fever or chills
Cough (often dry)
Fatigue and aches
Congestion or nasal flow
Severity and impacts on public health
Despite its rapid propagation capacity, the XFG variant does not seem to lead to a more serious disease than other strains of omicron in circulation.
Low to moderate severity: to date, there is no evidence suggesting that XFG causes more serious forms, hospitalizations or deaths compared to other omicron descendants.
Vigilance necessary: even if individual severity is stable, its strong contagiosity means that a large number of cases can always exert pressure on health systems due to the absolute increase in infections.
Protection et vaccination
Health authorities emphasize that prevention strategies remain the best defense:
Vaccination: updated and adapted vaccines (targeting omicron lines, such as JN.1 or XBB.1.5) are very likely to continue to provide significant protection against the serious forms of the disease caused by the XFG variant.
Barrier measures: Maintaining barrier gestures (mask in confined places, ventilation, hand hygiene) remains crucial to limit the spread of all strains.
In conclusion, the Variant Frankenstein (XFG) is an alarmist name for a current evolutionary phenomenon (recombination). While its rapid propagation requires constant vigilance on the part of scientists, current evidence indicates that the threat it represents is mainly linked to its ability to bypass immunity and not to the increased severity of the disease.
