OMICRON (B.1.1.529): A new SARS‐CoV‐2 variant of concern mounting worldwide fear

Abstract

Recent emergence of the SARS‐CoV‐2 variant as OMICRON has become a global concern. This short note highlights the identification and global spread of OMICRON which has spread over 77 nations by now, which resulted in many hypotheses about its origin and degree of infectivity. The detection of mutations in the RBD region of Spike protein is a concern by surpassing vaccine immunity. The ahead will speak about its transmission potentiality, infectivity, disease morbidity as well as its effect on COVID‐19 vaccines.

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, salient features, high global health concerns and strategies to counter it amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

“…The possibility of such immune evasion by the Omicron variant is supported by an in vitro data obtained by Chinese scientist's that mutations at N440K, T478K, and N501Y sites attribute to ten times and two times higher infectivity to Omicron in comparison to initial SARS-CoV-2 variant and Delta variant, respectively ( Chen et al, 2021a ). In absence of Omicron specific vaccine, already approved vaccines form competent authorities might be used as countermeasure to reduce the circulating Omicron infection ( Thakur and Kanta Ratho, 2021 ). Later, several researchers have reported evidences that Omicron variant could reduce the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and neutralization antibodies (antibodies-based immunotherapies) owing to its vast mutations ( Callaway, 2021a ; Cele et al, 2021 ; Chen et al, 2021a ; Kozlov, 2021 ; Lu et al, 2021 ; Torjesen, 2021 ; Dejnirattisai et al, 2021 ; Kannan et al, 2022 ; X.…”

“…Furthermore, His655Tyr is adjacent to the furin cleavage point that can fasten the spike cleavage and help in transmission ( Chen et al, 2021b ). The mutations at position N679K, and P681H, which also exist in Alpha and Delta variants, could also increase the transmission ability of the virus ( CDC, 2021a , Poudel et al, 2022 , Thakur and Kanta Ratho, (2021) . Asn679Lys present near the furin cleavage site enhances the polybasic nature and, therefore, might enhance cleavage and help in transmission ( Tao et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In addition, passengers from high-risk countries should be subjected to RT-PCR testing, and routine safety protocol should be followed. If these are found positive, the sample should be sent for genome sequencing ( Thakur and Kanta Ratho, 2021 ).…”

The Emergence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 Variant: What is the Impact on the Continued Pandemic?

“…The Omicron variant was reported to world health organization (WHO) from South Africa (SA) on 24 November 2021 [3] and promptly classified as a variant of concern on 26 November 2021 [2] (Table 1). One of the most concerning features of the Omicron variant is the aggregation of 50 mutations, of which about 30 mutations were detected in the spike protein [4,5]. These mutations are widely allocated at several proteins including NSP3, NSP4, NSP5, NSP6, NSP12, NSP14, S protein, envelope protein, membrane protein, and nucleocapsid protein [6].…”

“…There is emerging evidence to conclude that the Omicron variant spreading speed is much faster than the Delta and other previous variants, with the doubling time of only 2-3 days. On a global scale, the Omicron variant has been reported in 110 countries with the vast majority of confirmed cases coming from SA, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States [4]. Sporadic cases were reported from some countries with no travel history in the US and Europe.…”