Experts have suggested that the newly emerged variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) was six times more transmissible than the Delta variant. The currently existing monoclonal antibody therapy or cocktail treatment might not be so effective against Omicron variant like the Delta plus variant.

Mercy Rophina, a research scholar at IGIB said that Omicron variant carries a total of 53 variants precisely, including 32 spike protein variants and possess resistance against immunity and other functional implications. It is observed that 6 variants with spike receptors that bind to the G339D, S373P, G496S, Q498R and Y505H domain, were resistant to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) including etesevimab, bamlanivimab, casirivimab, imdevimab and their cocktails.

Scaria, an expert in genome sciences, said at the severity of the diseases is still undeciphered. One case of B.1.1.529 in Israel showed that this new variant could cause vaccine breakthrough infections. The new variant is supposed to have a better cell entry due to the three mutations in the S1/S2 furin cleavage site but still more research is required. He also said that the B.1.1.529 variants seemed to be spreading faster in South Africa, faster than other variants. Hence, currently, transmissibility and clinical outcomes were of more concern.

Source: ET Healthworld