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*Corresponding author: Muhammad Saleem Khan
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara 56130 Pakistan.
Copyright © 2022 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.
A mini review on omicron variant of SARS-COV: A new variant of concern (VOC)
Ali Umar 1, Zeeshan Ulfat 1, Muhammad Waseem Aslam 1, Ahmad Waheed 1, Nasir Ali 1, Saira Parveen 2, Neelam
Amjad 3, Muhammad Wajid 1, Azka Zafar 1, Muhammad Shoaib Akhtar 4, Kamran Jafar 1, Shabbir Ahmad 1,
Hasnain Akmal 1, Nazaket Ali 1, Warda Zafar 1, Hina Naz 1, Sadia Bashir 1, Alia Umar 1 and Muhammad Saleem
Khan 1, *
1 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara 56130 Pakistan.
2 Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan.
3 Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan.
4 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Okara, Okara 56130 Pakistan.
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022, 19(01), 001–004
Publication history: Received on 11 February 2022; revised on 28 March 2022; accepted on 30 March 2022
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2022.19.1.0106
Abstract
The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic which outbreak from Wuhan China in late 2019. It has produced
serious disturbances and unprecedented problems around the whole world including in worldwide healthcare systems.
Severe corona viral acute syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing a severe viral pneumonia which began in December 2019
in Wuhan. The Omicron virus is a newly emerging variant of previously existing SARS-CoV-2. This variant is firstly
reported in South Africa on November 24, 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified it as a variation of
concern on November 26, 2021. A large number of mutations (60 mutations) with several novel mutations, are
discovered in this variant and these mutations disrupt the spike protein targeted by most COVID-19 vaccines. Higher
degree of mutations in the virus makes it virus of concern in its transmission, effects on immune system and level of
vaccine resistance. As a result, the variant was quickly identified as "of concern," and several countries instituted travel
restrictions in an attempt to prevent the spread of the mutation throughout the world. Omicron also reported as
zoonotic disease.
Keywords: Omicron; Corona Virus; COVID-19; Virus recombination; Mutation; SARS-CoV-2
1. Introduction
The Corona virus Disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic which outbreak from Wuhan China in late 2019 [1-4]. It has
produced serious disturbances and unprecedented problems around the whole world including in worldwide
healthcare systems [5-7]. Severe corona viral acute syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing a severe viral pneumonia [8]
which began in December 2019 in Wuhan, China [9] infected more than 271 million individuals and caused more than
5 million deaths worldwide till December 14, 2021. The Omicron virus is a newly emerging variant of previously existing
SARS-CoV-2. This variant is firstly reported in South Africa on November 24, 2021. The World Health Organization
(WHO) identified it as a variation of concern on November 26, 2021, and It is given the name omicron, which is a Greek
letter. A large number of mutations (60 mutations) with several novel mutations, are discovered in this variant and
these mutations disrupt the spike protein targeted by most COVID-19 vaccines. Higher degree of mutations in the virus
makes it virus of concern in its transmission, effects on immune system and level of vaccine resistance. As a result, the
variant was quickly identified as "of concern," and several countries instituted travel restrictions in an attempt to
prevent the spread of the mutation throughout the world. However, by December 7, 2021, the variation had spread to
over 50 countries [10].
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022, 19(01), 001–004
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2. Origin of Omicron
Existing literature showed that Cells in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract have been found to be capable of harboring
both SARS-CoV-2 and common-cold coronaviruses at the same time. Virus recombination occurs when two different
viruses in the same host cell interact with one another while reproducing themselves. This results in the development
of new copies of the virus that contain genetic material from both "parents." Laut Soundararajan and colleagues'
findings, this novel mutation may have initially evolved in a person who was infected with both infections when a variant
of SARS-CoV-2 picked up the genetic sequence from the other virus. The study has not yet been subjected to peer review
[11].
Figure 1 Origination of Omicron variant from common cold virus and previously existing SARS-CoV2
Neither unusual symptoms nor asymptomatic individuals have been reported in association with the variant, as has
been the case with other variants in the previous literature. In the early stages of the variant's diagnosis, patients
complained of fatigue and aches and pains. according to Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical
Association patients with this variant had no loss of taste, change in smell and cough [12]. The presence of two Omicron
variants (Standard BA1 and Stealth Omicron BA2) has been proved by researchers. BA.2 has been called "Stealth
Omicron" because it doesn't have the deletion that PCR tests can use to find it. This makes it different from the
"standard" variety. According to computational modelling, the variant may also evade cell-mediated immunity. A
relationship to HIV infection could possibly explain the high frequency of mutations in the Omicron variant's sequence.
Indeed, in order to be affected by such a large number of changes, the virus must have evolved for a long time without
killing or eliminating its host. One example is when a person has a weaker immune system but is receiving adequate
medical care to survive. This is true for HIV patients in South Africa, where they account for more than 20% of the
population [13].
2.1. Variants of Omicron:
Figure 2 Omicron Variants
The presence of two Omicron variants (Standard BA1 and Stealth Omicron BA2) has been proved by researchers. BA.2
has been called "Stealth Omicron" because it doesn't have the deletion that PCR tests can use to find it. This makes it
different from the "standard" variety. According to computational modelling, the variant may also evade cell-mediated
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022, 19(01), 001–004
3
immunity. A relationship to HIV infection could possibly explain the high frequency of mutations in the Omicron
variant's sequence. Indeed, in order to be affected by such a large number of changes, the virus must have evolved for a
long time without killing or eliminating its host. One example is when a person has a weaker immune system but is
receiving adequate medical care to survive. This is true for HIV patients in South Africa, where they account for more
than 20% of the population [13].
2.2. Symptoms of Omicron
Neither unusual symptoms nor asymptomatic individuals have been reported in association with the variant, as has
been the case with other variants in the previous literature. In the early stages of the variant's diagnosis, patients
complained of fatigue and aches and pains. according to Angelique Coetzee, chair of the South African Medical
Association patients with this variant had no loss of taste, change in smell and cough [12].
Figure 1 Symptoms of Omicron Variant
As a result of ongoing research, it appears that Omicron may be the most contagious variant found in South Africa to
date. By the end of November, the most recent date for which data is available, Omicron was responsible for 70% of all
cases in South Africa; it is expected to have increased to more than 90% by now. The Omicron outbreak is centered in
the South African province of Gauteng, where daily COVID-19 cases are doubling every three to four days, according to
the World Health Organization. The number of active COVID-19 cases in Tshwane increased from 6,697 to 20,425 in
less than a week's time. In Gauteng, South Africa's most populous province, one out of every three tests’ results in a
positive result for HIV. With such a high positivity rate, it is likely that COVID-19 is being transmitted widely throughout
the population, and the actual number of cases is therefore likely to be higher than the official count. The Omicron
variant of the CORONA VIRUS is the fastest spreading variant of the virus solely because of the way it transmits and its
mode of transmission is air [14]. There is various vaccine available for COVID-19 [15, 16]. These vaccines may or may
not prevent the emerging variant omicron.
3. Omicron a zoonotic disease
In February 2022, Omicron was reported in a wild White tailed deer by researchers at Pennsylvania State University in
Staten Island [17].
4. Conclusion
Higher degree of mutations in the virus makes it virus of concern in its transmission, effects on immune system and
level of vaccine resistance. As a result, the variant was quickly identified as "of concern" and several countries instituted
travel restrictions in an attempt to prevent the spread of the mutation throughout the world. Omicron also reported as
zoonotic disease.
Compliance with ethical standards
Disclosure of conflict of interest
Authors have no conflict of interest.
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022, 19(01), 001–004
4
Statement of ethical approval
The present review article work does not contain any studies performed on animal’s/ humans’ subjects by any of the
authors.
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