Understanding the omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2: Mutational impacts, concerns, and the possible solutions

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery Vol. 78; p. 103737
• Main Authors: Islam, Fahadul, Dhawan, Manish, Nafady, Mohamed H., Emran, Talha Bin, Mitra, Saikat, Choudhary, Om Prakash, Akter, Aklima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: COVID-19; Omicron variant (B.1.1.529); Review; SARS-CoV-2; Variant of concern (VOC); COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Variant of concern (VOC); Omicron variant (B.1.1.529)
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103737

Despite many nations' best efforts to contain the so-called COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (B.1.1.529) has been identified as a serious concern. After more than two years of COVID-19 pandemic and more than a year of worldwide vaccination efforts, the globe will not be free of COVID-19 variants such as Delta and Omicron variants. According to current statistics, the Omicron variant has more than 30 mutations when contrasted to other VOCs such as Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.2). High numbers of changes, particularly in the spike protein (S-Protein), raise worries about the virus's capacity to resist pre-existing immunity acquired by vaccination or spontaneous infection and antibody-based therapy. The Omicron variant raised international concerns, resuming travel bans and coming up with many questions about its severity, transmissibility, testing, detection, and vaccines efficiency against it. Additionally, inadequate health care infrastructures and many immunocompromised individuals increase the infection susceptibility. The current status of low vaccination rates will play a significant role in omicron spreading and create a fertile ground for producing new variants. As a result, this article emphasizes the mutational changes and their consequences. In addition, the potential preventing measures have been examined in detail. •In South Africa, WHO designated the first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).•This variation is notable for having an extremely high number of spike protein mutations.•Omicron has about 50 mutations, particularly 32 spike protein mutations.•Omicron considers the most common variant in South Africa as an alternative to Delta.