Evolution of the SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron variants BA.1 to BA.5: Implications for immune escape and transmission
UNSW Sydney · New South Wales Department of Health
Abstract
The first dominant SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.1 harbours 35 mutations in its Spike protein from the original SARS-CoV-2 variant that emerged late 2019. Soon after its discovery, BA.1 rapidly emerged to become the dominant variant worldwide and has since evolved into several variants. Omicron is of major public health concern owing to its high infectivity and antibody evasion. This review article examines the theories that have been proposed on the evolution of Omicron including zoonotic spillage, infection in immunocompromised individuals and cryptic spread in the community without being diagnosed. Added to the complexity of Omicron's evolution are the multiple reports of recombination events occurring…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 50.20
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 156
Authors
5Topics & keywords
- Infectivity
- Virology
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Biology
- Monoclonal antibody
- Antibody
- Genetics
- Good health and well-being