• Shailendra K Saxena, Swatantra Kumar, Saniya Ansari, Janusz T Paweska, Vimal K Maurya, Anil K Tripathi, and Ahmed S Abdel-Moneim.
• Centre for Advanced Research (CFAR), Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, 226003, India.
• J. Med. Virol. 2021 Dec 14.

AbstractAs the latest identified novel Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VOC), the influence of Omicron on our globe grows promptly. Compared with the last VOC (Delta variant), more mutations were identified, which may address the characteristics of Omicron. Considering these crucial mutations and its implications including increase in transmissibility, COVID-19 severity and reduction of efficacy of currently available diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, Omicron has been classified as one of the VOC. Notably, fifteen of these mutations reside in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike glycoprotein, which may alter transmissibility, infectivity, neutralizing antibody escape and vaccine breakthrough cases of COVID-19. Therefore, our present study characterizes our understanding of the current global prevalence and mutational hotspots of the Omicron variant in comparison with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Further, detailed information was analyzed to characterize the global perspective of Omicron, including mutational hotspot, transmission dynamic, effect on testing and immunity, which shall promote the progress of clinical application and basic research. Collectively, our data suggests that due to continuous variation in the spike glycoprotein structures, the use of coronavirus specific attachment inhibitors may not be the current choice of therapy for emerging SARS-CoV-2 VOCs. Hence, we need to proceed with a sense of urgency in this matter. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

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