Genome characterization and potential risk assessment of the novel SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529)
Zoonoses
; 1(13), 2021.
Article
in English
| CAB Abstracts | ID: covidwho-2025746
ABSTRACT
As the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spread around the world, multiple waves of variants emerged, thus leading to local or global population shifts during the pandemic. A new variant named Omicron (PANGO lineage B.1.1.529), which was first discovered in southern Africa, has recently been proposed by the World Health Organization to be a Variant of Concern. This variant carries an unusually large number of mutations, particularly on the spike protein and receptor binding domain, in contrast to other known major variants. Some mutation sites are associated with enhanced viral transmission, infectivity, and pathogenicity, thus enabling the virus to evade the immune protective barrier. Given that the emergence of the Omicron variant was accompanied by a sharp increase in infection cases in South Africa, the variant has the potential to trigger a new global epidemic peak. Therefore, continual attention and a rapid response are required to decrease the possible risks to public health.
Prion, Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens of Humans [VV210]; Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics [ZZ360]; Genetics and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms [ZZ395]; coronavirus disease 2019; disease transmission; epidemics; genome analysis; genomes; human diseases; immune evasion; infectivity; molecular epidemiology; mutants; mutations; pathogenicity; public health; risk; risk assessment; risk factors; viral diseases; viral structural proteins; man; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; South Africa; Southern Africa; Homo; Hominidae; primates; mammals; vertebrates; Chordata; animals; eukaryotes; Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirinae; Coronaviridae; Nidovirales; positive-sense ssRNA Viruses; ssRNA Viruses; RNA Viruses; viruses; Anglophone Africa; Africa; Commonwealth of Nations; high Human Development Index countries; Africa South of Sahara; upper-middle income countries; SARS-CoV-2; subsaharan Africa; viral infections
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
CAB Abstracts
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Topics:
Variants
Language:
English
Journal:
Zoonoses
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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