Characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant and Emerging Impact on Global Public Health

Islam, Md. Rabiul; Nasreen, Waheeda; Anjum, Ramisa; Shahriar, Mohammad; Roy, Arpıta; Dhama, Kuldeep; Bhuiyan, Mohiuddin Ahmed

doi:10.1177/2632010x221124908

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…4 Omicron subvariants that have rapidly spread across the globe. 5 , 6 Initially, BA.1 and BA.2 were predominant Omicron subvariant worldwide. However, BA.4 and BA.5 variants are now leading in Europe and the United States.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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The latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 lineages are frowning toward COVID‐19 preventive measures: A threat to global public health

Islam

Shahriar

Bhuiyan

2022

Health Science Reports

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BACKGROUND A cluster of pneumonia cases was reported by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China, Hubei Province, resulting in the identification of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). 1 As of September 19, 2022, more than 609 million cases and 6.5 million deaths have been recorded worldwide. The highest number of COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Europe, followed by the Americas, Western Pacific, South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa regions. 2 As a country, the US contributed the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. 2 SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating and dodging antibodies to infect more people. Epidemiologists in South Africa detected the fifth and the latest "variant of concern" (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2. They reported this new variant to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24, 2021. This fifth VOC of SARS-CoV-2 contains more than 30 mutations in its viral spike proteins to allow it more transmissibility and infection rates. 1 The WHO named this fifth VOC of SARS-CoV-2 as the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) on November 26, 2021. 2 Omicron became the leading variant in COVID-19 after its inception. At present, Omicron is the only circulating VOC. Initially, Omicron had three subvariants (e.g., BA.1, BA.2, and BA.3). BA.1 was predominant during the fourth wave of the pandemic in South Africa. However, the global pattern was inconsistent in some other countries. BA.2 variant was responsible for hospitalizations and deaths in most cases during the Omicron wave in South Africa. 3 Currently, the Omicron variant includes five lineages and some other descendant subvariants. 4 Omicron subvariants that have rapidly spread across the globe. 5,6 Initially, BA.1 and BA.2 were predominant Omicron subvariant worldwide. However, BA.4 and BA.5 variants are now leading in Europe and the United States. 7 The WHO classified BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.12.1, and BA.2.75 as VOC-subvariants under monitoring. 4 The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control categorized BA.4 and BA.5 as VOC from VOI on May 12, 2022. 8 Therefore, we recommend prioritized monitoring of epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic due to Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. This article aims to present an update on Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 and their potential impact on global public health. Scientists detected the BA.4 and BA.5 variants from a sample collected from South Africa in early 2022. 9 BA.4 and BA.5 have similarities with parent variants based on their genotype and phenotype as both are subvariants of Omicron. These subvariants have all mutations that Omicron had. The spike proteins of the latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants are identical and more similar to BA.2 than BA.1. 10 The Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants fueled a surge of cases in South Africa in the spring despite having widespread pre-existing immunity to the virus. The COVID-19 wave due to BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants was not as high as earlier waves, and deaths did not rise as sharply in South

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Currently, the Omicron variant includes five lineages and some other descendant subvariants 4 . Omicron subvariants that have rapidly spread across the globe 5,6 . Initially, BA.1 and BA.2 were predominant Omicron subvariant worldwide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 lineages are frowning toward COVID‐19 preventive measures: A threat to global public health

Islam

Shahriar

Bhuiyan

2022

Health Science Reports

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“…Scientists predicted from the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic that the mutant strains of the virus might elongate the pandemic 11–14 . Mutations of the SARS‐CoV‐2 are always going on.…”

Section: Sars‐cov‐2 Mutation From Alpha To Omicronmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for newly detected SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron BF.7 subvariant: A brief report

Nazmunnahar

Idbaïh

Islam

2023

Health Science Reports

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Mutations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are always going on. The pathogenic characteristics of a virus are influenced by mutations in the viral genome. Therefore, the recently identified Omicron BF.7 subvariant might harm humans. Here we aimed to evaluate the potential risks of this newly detected variant and identify possible mitigation strategies. The frequent mutation associated with SARS-CoV-2 makes it more concerning compared to other viruses. The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has unique changes in the structural amino acid. Thus, Omicron subvariants are different from other coronavirus variants in terms of viral spread, disease severity, vaccine neutralization capacity, and immunity evade. Moreover, Omicron subvariant BF.7 is an offspring of BA.4 and BA.5. Similar S glycoprotein sequences are present among BF.7, BA.4, and BA.5.There is a change in the R346T gene in the receptor binding site of Omicron BF.7 than other Omicron subvariants. This BF.7 subvariant has created a limitation in current monoclonal antibody therapy. Omicron has mutated since it emerged, and the subvariants are improving in terms of transmission as well as antibody evasion.Therefore, the healthcare authorities should pay attention to the BF.7 subvariant of Omicron. The recent upsurge may create havoc all of a sudden. Scientists and researchers across the world should monitor the nature and mutations of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Also, they should find ways to fight the current circulatory variants and any future mutations.

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“…Although the transmissibility was increased, a declined trend was observed in hospitalization and mortality rates during Omicron according to the data 53 . For instance, in a retrospective cohort study, Nyberg et al 54 showed that compared with Delta, those with Omicron were at low risk of severe outcomes after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with significant variation associated with age.…”

Section: Transmissibility and Severity Of The Omicron Variantmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant and strategies for tackling the infection

Long

Wang

et al. 2022

Immunity Inflam & Disease

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Introduction: Nowadays, emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron, the novel highly mutated VOC, has quickly spread as the dominant variant in over 190 countries worldwide through the first part of 2022, which is influencing the infectivity, transmissibility, pathogenicity, and severity of COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, clinical cases and experimental studies have reported that Omicron variant likely leads to weakened immune protection elicited by infection, antibody therapies, and vaccines. The new wave, from late February, 2022, was escalated abruptly by higher levels of transmission of Omicron BA.2 sublineage in China.Methods and Results: Following a systematic database search, this review summarizes the salient features of Omicron sublineages, and their impact on transmissibility, disease severity as well as the efficacy of the available vaccines and treatment against the Omicron. Conclusion:We hope this study will provide a scientific reference for alleviating the burden of COVID-19.

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Characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant and Emerging Impact on Global Public Health

Cited by 16 publications

References 76 publications

The latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 lineages are frowning toward COVID‐19 preventive measures: A threat to global public health

The latest Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 lineages are frowning toward COVID‐19 preventive measures: A threat to global public health

Risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for newly detected SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron BF.7 subvariant: A brief report

Emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variant and strategies for tackling the infection

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