Reduced Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant by Vaccine Sera and Monoclonal Antibodies

Wilhelm, Alexander; Widera, Marek; Grikscheit, Katharina; Toptan, Tuna; Schenk, Barbara; Pallas, Christiane; Metzler, Melinda; Kohmer, Niko; Hoehl, Sebastian; Helfritz, Fabian; Wolf, Timo; Goetsch, Udo; Ciesek, Sandra

doi:10.1101/2021.12.07.21267432

Cited by 341 publications

(351 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…These data, although derived from a relatively small sample size, are consistent with published data from datasets of similar size. 4 , 5 , 6 Together, the findings suggest that omicron is more antigenically distant from the original SARS-CoV-2 vaccine strain than the previously most distant strains, beta and delta. Preliminary data from the UK Health Security Agency 7 have shown reduced effectiveness against symptomatic infection after two doses of ChAd or BNT, suggesting a result of increased breakthrough infections in previously infected or double vaccinated individuals, which could drive a further wave of infection.…”

mentioning

confidence: 82%

Reduced neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 omicron B.1.1.529 variant by post-immunisation serum

et al. 2022

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mentioning

confidence: 82%

Reduced neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 omicron B.1.1.529 variant by post-immunisation serum

et al. 2022

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“…However, it is unclear how well these doses will work against this viral strain. People who have had repeated exposure to SARS-spike CoV-2's protein, whether through infection or a booster dosage, are very likely to have neutralizing antibody activity against Omicron [ [24] , [25] , [26] ]. However, a recently published South Africa study shows that even booster doses are insufficient to prevent symptomatic infection and emphasize the need to maintain additional non-pharmaceutical interventions [ 19 ].…”

Section: Will Current Booster's Vaccination Improve Protection Against Omicron?mentioning

confidence: 99%

The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variant (Omicron) and increasing calls for COVID-19 vaccine boosters-The debate continues

Khan

Al-Thani

El‐Menyar

2022

Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease

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“…Existing studies have established role of these mutations in immune escape against convalescent sera, vaccine acquired antibodies, and therapeutically used monoclonal antibodies (Table 1). The emerging preliminary evidence from in situ studies indicate potential immune escape by Omicron against convalescent sera, vaccine acquired antibodies, and therapeutically used monoclonal antibodies 23,35,36 . Interestingly, Omicron contains K417N and E484A, which are present in multiple existing variants, and are believed to contribute to immune escape 28 .…”

Section: Immune Escapementioning

confidence: 99%

An in silico analysis of early SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) genomic sequences and their epidemiological correlates

Kumar

Asghar

Singh

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: A newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 has worried health policymakers worldwide due to the presence of a large number of mutations in its genomic sequence, especially in the spike protein region. World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it as a global variant of concern (VOC) and has named as Omicron. A surge in new COVID-19 cases has been reported from certain geographical locations, primarily in South Africa (SA) following the emergence of Omicron. Materials and methods: We performed an in silico analysis of the complete genomic sequences of Omicron available on GISAID (until 2021-12-6) to predict the functional impact of the mutations present in this variant on virus-host interactions in terms of viral transmissibility, virulence/lethality, and immune escape. In addition, we performed a correlation analysis of the relative proportion of the genomic sequences of specific SARS-CoV-2 variants (in the period of 01 Oct-29 Nov 2021) with the current epidemiological data (new COVID-19 cases and deaths) from SA to understand whether the Omicron has an epidemiological advantage over existing variants. Results: Compared to the current list of global VOCs/VOIs (as per WHO) Omicron bears more sequence variation, specifically in the spike protein and host receptor-binding motif (RBM). Omicron showed the closest nucleotide and protein sequence homology with Alpha variant for the complete sequence as well as for RBM. The mutations were found primarily condensed in the spike region (28-48) of the virus. Further, the mutational analysis showed enrichment for the mutations decreasing ACE2-binding affinity and RBD protein expression, in contrast, increasing the propensity of immune escape. An inverse correlation of Omicron with Delta variant was noted (r=-0.99, p< .001, 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.97) in the sequences reported from SA post-emergence of the new variant, later showing a decrease. There has been a steep rise in the new COVID-19 cases in parallel with the increase in the proportion of Omicron since the first case (74-100%), on the contrary, the incidences of new deaths have not been increased (r=-0.04, p>0.05, 95% CI =-0.52 to 0.58). Conclusions: Omicron may have greater immune escape ability than the existing VOCs/VOIs. However, there are no clear indications coming out from the predictive mutational analysis that the Omicron may have higher virulence/lethality than other variants, including Delta. The higher ability for immune escape may be a likely reason for the recent surge in Omicron cases in SA.

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Reduced Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant by Vaccine Sera and Monoclonal Antibodies

Cited by 341 publications

References 12 publications

Reduced neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 omicron B.1.1.529 variant by post-immunisation serum

Reduced neutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 omicron B.1.1.529 variant by post-immunisation serum

The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variant (Omicron) and increasing calls for COVID-19 vaccine boosters-The debate continues

An in silico analysis of early SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) genomic sequences and their epidemiological correlates

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