Since November 2021, there have been cases of COVID-19's Omicron strain spreading in competition with Delta strains in many parts of the world. To explore how these two strains developed…

Background: The inactivated whole-virion vaccine, CoronaVac, is one of the most widely used coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines worldwide. There is a paucity of data indicating the durability of the…

The spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 facilitates viral binding to the ACE2 receptor and mediates viral infectivity. The Delta and Omicron variants of concern are the most infectious…

SARS-CoV-2 variants with undetermined properties have emerged intermittently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Some variants possess unique phenotypes and mutations which allow further characterization of viral evolution and spike functions. Around…

In India, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta wave (2020-21) gradually faded away with the advent of the Omicron variants (2021-present). Dengue incidences were observably less in Southeast Asia during the active years…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines have produced protective immunity sufficient enough to cause a decrease in hospitalizations and deaths; however, the pandemic continues due to mutational events, predominantly occurring in…

BackgroundPost-coronavirus disease (COVID) is widely reported but the data of Post COVID-19 after infection with the Omicron variant is limited. This prospective study was conducted to determine the prevalence, pattern,…

IntroductionWe assessed protection conferred by COVID-19 vaccines and/or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection against Omicron-associated severe outcomes during successive sublineage-predominant periods.

MethodsWe used a test-negative design to estimate protection by vaccines and/or…

Waning antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination combined with the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage led to reduced vaccine effectiveness. As a countermeasure, bivalent mRNA-based booster vaccines encoding the ancestral…

BackgroundImmune-suppressed solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) display impaired humoral responses to COVID-19 vaccination, but T cell responses are incompletely understood. The highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants Omicron BA.4/5 and XBB.1.5 escape…

Knowledge on immunogenicity of the bivalent Omicron BA.4/5 vaccine in dialysis patients and the effect of a previous infection is limited. Therefore, vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immunity was analyzed in…

Bivalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccines expressing both the ancestral D614G and Omicron BA.5 spike proteins were introduced in August 2022 with the goal of broadening immunity to emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants.…

BackgroundPost-COVID conditions after infection with new SARS-CoV-2 variants have been incompletely described. We compared the prevalence and risk factors for ongoing symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer (often referred to…

BackgroundMass COVID-19 vaccination and the continuous introduction of new viral variants of SARS-CoV-2, especially of Omicron subvariants, has resulted in an increase in the proportion of the population with hybrid…

ObjectiveTo characterise Long COVID in a highly vaccinated population infected by Omicron.

DesignFollow-up survey of persons testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Western Australia, 16 July-3 August 2022.

SettingCommunity

Participants22,744 persons…

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with greater transmissibility or immune evasion properties has jeopardized the existing vaccine and antibody-based countermeasures. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of boosting with the protein…

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with greater transmissibility or immune evasion properties has jeopardized the existing vaccine and antibody-based countermeasures. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of boosting with the protein…

We examined the anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody titers and cellular immunity in 73 uninfected recipients and 17 uninfected healthy controls…

Primary differentiated human epithelial cell cultures have been widely used by researchers to study viral fitness and virus-host interactions, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. These cultures recapitulate important characteristics of…

SARS-CoV-2 has continued to evolve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, giving rise to multiple variants of concern (VOCs) with different biological properties. As the pandemic progresses, it will be essential to…

BackgroundThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seen several variants of concern, including the Omicron (BA.1) variant which emerged in October 2021. Accurately estimating the incubation period of these variants is crucial…

BackgroundThe continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) requires timely analytical and clinical evaluation of antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) especially those that are recommended for at home use.

A large proportion of the worlds population has some form of immunity against SARS-CoV- 2, through either infection ( natural), vaccination or both ( hybrid). This retrospective cohort study used…

Accurate and rapid population-scale screening techniques based on SARS-CoV-2 RNA are essential in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. However, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay signal are challenged…

To date, all major modes of monoclonal antibody therapy targeting SARS-CoV-2 have lost significant efficacy against the latest circulating variants. As SARS-CoV-2 omicron sublineages account for over 90% of COVID-19…

A growing body of evidence shows that Fc-dependent antibody effector functions play an important role in protection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. To unravel the mechanisms…

Mutation is a fundamental factor that affects host-pathogen biology and consequently viral survival and spread. Close monitoring and observation of such mutation help decipher essential changes in the SARS Cov2…

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects wildlife. Recent studies highlighted that variants of concern (VOC) may expand into novel animal reservoirs with the potential for reverse zoonosis. North American…

Surface modification corresponds to a set of viable technological approaches to introduce antimicrobial properties in materials that do not have such characteristics. Antimicrobial materials are important to prevent the proliferation…

SARS-CoV-2 reinfections increased substantially after Omicron variants emerged. Large-scale community-based comparisons across multiple Omicron waves of reinfection characteristics, risk factors, and protection afforded by previous infection and vaccination, are limited,…

ObjectivesWe report interim safety and immunogenicity results from a phase 3 study of omicron-BA.1 variant-containing (mRNA-1273.214) primary vaccination series (Part 1) and booster dose (Part 2) in children aged 6…

BackgroundMost of current approved vaccines, based on a Spike-only as single immunogen, fall short of producing a full-blown T-cell immunity. SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve with ever-emergent higher-contagious mutants that may…

BACKGROUND: Widespread vaccination and emergence of less aggressive SARS-CoV2 variants may have blunted the unfavourable outcomes of COVID-19 in nursing home (NH) residents. We analysed the course of COVID-19 epidemic…

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can mutate frequently and many new strains have emerged thus far. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics differ with each dominant strain. OBJECTIVES: Obtain…

Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates increased during the Omicron surge at our rural academic medical center. To identify potential drivers of this increase, we investigated period- and patient-specific factors associated…

In this national survey, we found that individual patient assessments by pharmacists were more common at facilities using centralized prescribing for nirmetralvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) than decentralized prescribing. Provider discomfort was initially…

A third dose of the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac fails to stimulate the production of neutralizing antibodies which target the Omicron variant.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in millions of deaths and threatens public health and safety. Nowadays, modern society…

Therapeutic antibodies are an important tool in the arsenal against coronavirus infection. However, most antibodies developed early in the pandemic have lost most or all efficacy against newly emergent strains…

In November 2021, the first infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VOC) B.1.1.529 ('Omicron') was reported in Germany, alongside global reports of reduced vaccine…

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) omicron (B.1.1.529) variant reduced the risk of severe disease compared with the original strain and other variants, but it appeared to be highly infectious,…

In comparison to previously known severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, the newly emerged Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant shows higher infectivity in humans. Exceptionally high infectivity of this variant raises…

The main COVID-19 vaccine formulations used today are mainly based on the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein as an antigen. However, new virus variants capable of escaping neutralization activity of serum…

After severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) made the world tremble with a global pandemic, SARS-CoV2 vaccines were developed. However, due to the coronavirus's intrinsic nature, new variants emerged, such…

After severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) made the world tremble with a global pandemic, SARS-CoV2 vaccines were developed. However, due to the coronavirus's intrinsic nature, new variants emerged, such…

The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected in China in December 2019. To date, there have been approximately 3.4…

BACKGROUND: We aimed to estimate the public health impact of booster vaccination against COVID-19 in the UK during an Omicron-predominant period. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A dynamic transmission model was…

The reply letter has been put forth in response to the comment made by Karthyayani Priya Satish entitled "India and the COVID-19 Vaccine." The comment was made in context to…

BACKGROUND: The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in the fourth COVID-19 pandemic wave across the southern African region, including Malawi. The seroprevalence…

OBJECTIVES: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants raised questions over the extent to which vaccines designed in 2020 have remained effective. We aimed to assess whether vaccine status was associated with…

Mysterious evolution of a new strain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the Omicron variant, led to a new challenge in the persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)…

INTRODUCTION: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 continues to spread widely, not only causing physical disorders in patients but also impairing mental health, bringing a heavy burden on global public health.…

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) and the urgency of booster vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant need evaluation. A systematic search was conducted from 1-6 April, 2022. VE difference (VED) estimates were assessed…

In high-risk individuals in Johannesburg, during the Delta coronavirus disease 2019 wave, 22% (125/561) were positive, with 33% symptomatic (2 hospitalizations; 1 death). During Omicron, 56% (232/411) were infected, with…

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus outbreak continues worldwide, with many variants emerging, some of which are considered variants of concern (VOCs). The WHO designated Omicron as a VOC and…

BACKGROUND: There is an urgent public health need to evaluate disease severity in adults hospitalised with Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant infections. However, limited data exist assessing severity of disease…

Introduction The rapidly mutating Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant has replaced the previous dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants like alpha, and delta resulting in the amplification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. The present…

BACKGROUND: Whilst other studies have reported the effectiveness of mRNA vaccination against hospitalisation, including emergency department or intensive care admission, few have assessed effectiveness against other more clinically robust indices…

Recent studies have revealed the unique virological characteristics of Omicron, particularly those of its spike protein, such as less cleavage efficacy in cells, reduced ACE2 binding affinity, and poor fusogenicity.…

It is unclear whether molnupiravir has a beneficial effect on vaccinated patients infected with the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We here evaluated the efficacy…

A new variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), named Omicron (Pango lineage designation B.1.1.529), was first reported to the World Health Organization by South African health authorities…

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered the largest pandemic in modern history. Since the first case was reported in 2019, several mutations have affected the severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2…

OBJECTIVES: There have been limited data on the risk of onward transmission from individuals with Omicron variant infections who return to work after a 5-day isolation. We evaluated the risk…

Emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and waning immunity call for next-generation vaccine strategies. Here, we assessed the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of two SARS-CoV-2 vaccines targeting…

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) persists, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) emerge, accumulating spike (S) glycoprotein mutations. S receptor binding domain (RBD) comprises a…

BACKGROUND: Little is known about protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection following previous infection with specific individual SARS-CoV-2 variants, COVID-19 vaccination, and a combination of previous infection and vaccination (hybrid immunity) in…

BACKGROUND: The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is estimated to be more transmissible than previous strains of SARS-CoV-2 especially among children, potentially resulting in croup which is a characteristic disease in children.…

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants brought waves of pandemics with breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals. We analyzed the antibody responses after primary and booster…

Omicron, a mutant strain of COVID-19, has been sweeping the world since November 2021. A major characteristic of Omicron transmission is that it is less harmful to healthy adults, but…

Worldwide, millions of persons have received multiple COVID-19 vaccinations and subsequently recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron breakthrough infections. In 2 small, matched cohorts (n = 12, n = 24) in Denmark,…

In November 2021, the World Health Organization declared the Omicron variant (B.1.1.519) a variant of concern. Since then, worries have been expressed regarding the ability of usual diagnostic tests to…

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) and its subvariants are currently the most common variants of concern worldwide, featuring numerous mutations in the spike protein and elsewhere that collectively make Omicron variants more…

Current COVID-19 vaccines are based on prototypic spike sequences from ancestral 2019 SARS-CoV-2 strains. However, the ongoing pandemic is fueled by variants of concern (VOC) escaping vaccine-mediated protection. Here we…

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) exhibit enhanced transmission and immune escape, reducing the effectiveness of currently approved mRNA vaccines. To achieve wider coverage of VOCs, we first constructed…

The Omicron (BA.1/B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 harbors an alarming 37 mutations on its spike protein, reducing the efficacy of current COVID-19 vaccines. In this study, we identified CD8+ and CD4+…

INTRODUCTION: In November 2021, omicron-a new SARS-CoV-2 variant-was identified in South Africa and almost immediately, WHO declared it a 'variant of concern'. In view of its rapid worldwide spread and…

We investigated the short sequences involving Omicron 21K and Omicron 21L variants to reveal any possible molecular mimicry-associated autoimmunity risks and changes in those. We first identified common 6mers of…

BACKGROUND: Peer reviewed data describing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant symptoms and clinical outcomes as compared to prior surges in the United States is thus far limited. We sought to determine disease…

Persons with moderate-to-severe immunocompromising conditions might have reduced protection after COVID-19 vaccination, compared with persons without immunocompromising conditions (1-3). On August 13, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)…

The variant of concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1529) has been described as a highly contagious variant but less virulent than the current variant being monitored (VBM) Delta (B.1.617.2), causing fewer…

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), which correlated with dramatic losses in cross-neutralization capacity of post-vaccination sera, raised concerns about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against infection and…

BACKGROUND: Between November 2021 and February 2022, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta and Omicron variants co-circulated in the United States, allowing for co-infections and possible recombination events.…

The incidence and death toll due to SARS-CoV-2 infection varied time-to-time; and depended on several factors, including severity (viral load), immune status, age, gender, vaccination status, and presence of comorbidities.…

Limited prospective severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) data in children regarding the impact of Omicron variant in seropositivity have been reported. We investigated SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in children between…

Background: Whilst timely clinical characterisation of infections caused by novel SARS-CoV-2 variants is necessary for evidence-based policy response, individual-level data on infecting variants are typically only available for a minority…

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics. Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is the cause for the surge of the COVID-19 pandemics…

Omicron lineages BA.4 and BA.5 drove a fifth wave of COVID-19 cases in South Africa. Here, we use the presence/absence of the S-gene target as a proxy for SARS-CoV-2 variant/lineage…

We assessed cross-reactivity to BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5 of neutralizing antibodies elicited by ancestral, Delta, and Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. Primary infection elicited homologous antibodies with poor cross-reactivity…

BACKGROUND: The first case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil, was diagnosed on March 12, 2020; thereafter, multiple surges of…

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has many variants capable of rapid transmission causing serious illness. Timely surveillance of new variants is essential for an effective public health response. Ensuring…

COVID-19 vaccines are playing a vital role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. As SARS-CoV-2 variants encoding mutations in the surface glycoprotein, Spike, continue to emerge, there is increased need to…

BACKGROUND: The efficacy on the Omicron variant of the approved early- coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapies, especially monoclonal antibodies, has been challenged by in vitro neutralization data, while data on…

Background: Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment is associated with decreased risk of hospitalization and death in high-risk outpatients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by early severe acute…

Emerging subvariants are more immune evasive than ever.

SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to evolve and new variants emerge. Using nationwide Danish data, we estimate the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2 within households. Among…

The Omicron BA.5/22B variant has been designated as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization. We describe, here, the first evidence in Monaco of infection with an Omicron…

By the end of July 2021, the majority of the Icelandic population had received vaccination against COVID-19. In mid-July a wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections, dominated by the Delta variant, spread…

We have investigated six COVID-19 recovered cases with two doses of Covishield vaccination followed by reinfection. The primary SARS-CoV-2 infection found to occur with B.1 and reinfection with Omicron BA.1…

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate CT (computed tomography) imaging differences for the Delta and the Omicron variant in COVID-19 infection. METHODS: The study population was derived…

Background: Coronavirus infection of 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccines supplement public health and social measures in preventing severe illness and mortality from COVID-19; however, vaccination…

We describe 188 patients in France who were successively infected with different SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, including BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5. Time between 2 infections was

OBJECTIVE: The worldwide pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 and its B.1.1.529 variant, Omicron, remain a threat to health. In Japan, self-isolation in a room at home has been recommended in some prefectures…

The discovery of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has sparked alarm globally because of its rapid rate of infection and trespassing acquired immunity due to vaccination or natural infection. This…

The efficacy of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now been well established in phase III clinical trials. However, clinical studies based on real-world data remain critical to assess…

More than a year after the first vaccines against the novel SARS-CoV-2 were approved, many questions still remain about the long-term protection conferred by each vaccine. How long the effect…

Nanopore sequencing technology (NST) has become a rapid and cost-effective method for the diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the coronavirus disease 2019…

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant produces more symptoms in the upper respiratory tract than in the lower respiratory tract. This form of "common cold" can cause inflammation of the oropharynx…

Introduction: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation caused by SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern such as B.1.617.2 (Delta) and recently, B.1.1.529 (Omicron) is posing multiple challenges to humanity. The rapid evolution…

Monoclonal antibodies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) neutralize infection and are efficacious for the treatment of COVID-19. However, SARS-CoV-2 variants, notably sublineages of B.1.1.529/omicron, have emerged that escape antibodies in…

Objective: To evaluate the transmissibility of 2019-nCoV Omicron variant under the current prevention and control strategy in Beijing, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods: The…

PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently the major threat for immunocompromised individuals. The course of COVID-19 in lung transplant…

Before emergence in late 2021 of the highly transmissible B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1,2), several studies demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 was unlikely to be cultured…

BACKGROUND: COVID-19, the coronavirus disease that emerged in December 2019, caused drastic damage worldwide. At the beginning of the pandemic, available data suggested that the infection occurs more frequently in…

We reported herein a simultaneous co-identification with Omicron (B.1.1.529) and Delta (21A/478K.V1) SARS-CoV-2 variants confirmed by whole genome sequencing in a 83-year-old French patient.

Since its outbreak, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on older adults worldwide [...].

COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, but was caused by the original coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2). In early 2020, there was a widespread breakout of cases well…

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cumulative incidence and disease severity of reported SARS-CoV-2 omicron breakthrough infections between patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) on immunosuppressants and controls, and to investigate determinants…

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 carries a unique group of mutations, and the transmission of the…

To date, more than 263 million people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In many countries, the global spread occurred in multiple pandemic waves characterized by the…

Omicron (B.1.1.529) is the most recent SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, which emerged in late 2021 and rapidly achieved global predominance by early 2022. In this study, we compared the infection…

BackgroundThe B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in the fourth COVID-19 pandemic wave across the southern African region, including Malawi. The seroprevalence of…

Pakistan is dealing with the fifth wave brought on by the new type, Omicron (or B.1.1.529) with 1,547,795 confirmed cases with 30,452 deaths of COVID-19, as reported by World Health…

New variants of SARS-CoV-2 are being reported worldwide. The World Health Organization has reported Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) as the variants of concern.…

Emerging variants, especially the recent Omicron variant, and gaps in vaccine coverage threaten mRNA vaccine mediated protection against SARS-CoV-2. While children have been relatively spared by the ongoing pandemic, increasing…

SARS-CoV-2 has mutated frequently since its first emergence in 2019. Numerous variants, including the currently emerging Omicron variant, have demonstrated high transmissibility or increased disease severity, posing serious threats to…

Background: There is a scarcity of research regarding the effectiveness of the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) COVID-19 vaccines in patients taking immunosuppressant medications, and no data are published to…

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 immunization has been shown to be effective in the prevention of COVID-19. Traditionally, two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are required. Booster immunization is generally required when immunity has…

The SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron (B.1.1.529), rapidly swept the world since its emergence. Compared with previous variants, Omicron has a high number of mutations, especially those in its spike glycoprotein that…

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent behind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This virus is a cumulative outcome of mutations, leading to the frequent emergence of new variants and their subvariants. Some…

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent behind the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This virus is a cumulative outcome of mutations, leading to the frequent emergence of new variants and their subvariants. Some…

We evaluated the performance of nasal and nasopharyngeal Standard Q COVID-19 Ag tests (SD Biosensor) and the Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (nasal, Abbott) against the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2…

BACKGROUND: To date, there is no information on the safety and efficacy of the novel anti-sarbecoviruses monoclonal antibody sotrovimab administered, as a post-exposure prophylactic measure, during the aplastic phase of…

Since WHO announced the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has undergone several mutations, with the most recent variant first identified in South Africa in November 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 variant…

Importance: Infection with SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is associated with adverse maternal outcomes. While it is known that severity of COVID-19 varies by viral strain, the extent to which this…

Mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome continue to threaten the global landscape of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) rapidly displaced…

Mutations in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome continue to threaten the global landscape of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) rapidly displaced…

BACKGROUND: Covaxin/BBV152 is one of the most widely used vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and one of the few vaccines used extensively in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). METHODS: We investigated…

Despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, additional more potent vaccines are still required against the emerging variations of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the present investigation,…

Background and Methods: The SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant is the antigenically most distinct variant to date. As the heavily mutated spike protein enables neutralization…

On 26 November 2021, the WHO classified the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (B.1.1.529 lineage) as a variant of concern (VOC) (COVID-19 Variant Data, Department of Health, 2022). The…

Background: COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. The most recent variant is Omicron (line B.1.1.529), which was first identified in South Africa in November 2021. The concern with…

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has undergone multiple mutations since its emergence, and its latest variant, Omicron (B.1.1.529), is the most contagious variant of concern (VOC) which poses…

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-1), notoriously known as COVID-19, emerged in 2019 and was responsible for causing acute respiratory collapse. Moreover, in September 2020, new variant cases of…

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant caused international concern due to its rapid spread in Southern Africa. It was unknown whether this…

AbstractThe Omicron BA.1 (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant is characterized by a high number of mutations in the viral genome, associated with immune-escape and increased viral spread. It remains unclear whether milder…

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is still a global public health issue. Omicron, a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant, has raised concerns about transmission and vaccine effectiveness. Omicron currently has the greatest number…

The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the last variant of concern (VOC) identified to date. Compared to whole-genome or gene-specific sequencing methods, reverse-transcription…

In December 2021-January 2022 the Veneto region in Italy faced an unprecedented wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections, even though both the vaccine coverage and the number of previously infected individuals keep…

On 26 November 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified the B.1.1.529 variant, or Omicron variant, as the fifth variant of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2. The B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of…

The emergence of the variant of concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has aggravated the Covid-19 pandemic due to its very contagious ability. The high…

BACKGROUNDThere were increased SARS-CoV2 hospitalizations and deaths noted during Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant surge in UK despite decreased cases, and the reasons are unclear.

METHODSIn this retrospective observational study, we analyzed…

Background: In the midst of successive waves of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant has recently caused a surge in pediatric infections and hospitalizations. This study aimed to describe and…

AIMS OF THE STUDY: Wastewater-based epidemiology has contributed significantly to the comprehension of the dynamics of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Its additional value in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 circulation in the population…

AIMS OF THE STUDY: Wastewater-based epidemiology has contributed significantly to the comprehension of the dynamics of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Its additional value in monitoring SARS-CoV-2 circulation in the population…

Background: The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, which evade immunity, has raised the urgent need for multiple vaccine booster doses for vulnerable populations. In this study, we aimed to estimate…

Background: The incidence of and risk factors for severe clinical outcomes with the Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant have not been well-defined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess…

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is an infectious disease declared as a global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Genomic changes in the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of SARS-CoV-2 led to an increased,…

The spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the major antigen stimulating the host's protective immune response. Here we assessed the efficacy of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies…

ABTRACT: Epidemiologic surveillance has revealed decoupling of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths from case counts following emergence of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant globally. However, assessment of the relative severity of…

The SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) was first reported in South Africa by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2021 and the Omicron variant is now the predominant globally prevalent…

Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing on a nasopharyngeal swab is the current standard for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection. Since collection of this sample type is experienced uncomfortable by patients,…

The wide spectrum of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with phenotypes impacting transmission and antibody sensitivity necessitates investigation of immune responses to different spike protein versions. Here,…

Several studies have demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern B.1.1.529 (Omicron) exhibits a high degree of escape from Ab neutralization. Therefore, it is critical to determine how well the second line…

The multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a known complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the pediatric population. Recent studies have demonstrated high efficacy…

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a RT-PCR assay for the specific detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC) as a rapid alternative to sequencing.…

BACKGROUND: Since November 2021, a new variant of concern (VOC), the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lineage B.1.1.529 (Omicron) has emerged as the dominant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)…

The emergence of different variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant in November 2021, has resulted in a continuous major health concern at a global scale. Presently, the Omicron…

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is continuing to evolve, emerging novel variants with spike protein mutations. Although most mutations emerged in the SARS-CoV-2 genome are neutral or mildly…

Here, we describe the coding-complete sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain HM36, identified as a strain of concern of B.1.1.529+BA (Omicron).

The SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron has spread world-wide and is responsible for rapid increases in infections, including in populations with high vaccination rates. Here, we analysed in the sera of vaccinated…

INTRODUCTION: On 26 November 2021, the World Health Organization's Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution designated PANGO lineage B.1.1.529 a variant of concern and gave it the designation Omicron.…

Background: No epidemiological data on post coronavirus disease (COVID-19) condition due to Omicron variant has been reported yet. Methods: This was as a single-center, cross-sectional study, that interviewed via telephone…

Introduction: Concerns have been raised regarding the accuracy of diagnostic antigen testing for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant. We compared the performance of the LumiraDx…

Our study indicates sustained transmission (effective reproduction number, 1.3; serial interval, 4.2 days; regional doubling times, 3.3-11.4 days) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant (N…

Emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, especially the Omicron variant, have impaired the efficacy of existing vaccines and most therapeutic antibodies, highlighting the need for additional…

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a public health challenge requiring rapid testing for the detection of infections and transmission. Nucleic acid amplification tests targeting SARS coronavirus 2 (CoV2) are used to…

On November 26th, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), B.1.1.529, was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO), named Omicron, and classified as a variant of concern…

BACKGROUND: Several SARS-CoV-2 variants with increased transmissibility and/or potential immune escape have emerged and rapidly spread worldwide. Ongoing surveillance analyses are performed worldwide to designate new variants of concern (VOC)…

The global emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to increasing breakthrough infections in vaccinated populations, calling for an urgent need to develop more effective and broad-spectrum vaccines to combat COVID-19.…

Nursing home residents have experienced disproportionally high levels of COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality and were prioritized for early COVID-19 vaccination (1). Following reported declines in vaccine-induced immunity after primary series…

The Omicron variant of SARS-COV-2 (GISAID GRA clade [B.1.1.529, BA.1 and BA.2]) is now the single dominant Variant of Concern (VOC). The high number of mutations in the Omicron Spike…

BackgroundThere is a need for evaluation regarding vaccine effectiveness (VE) and the urgency of booster vaccination against Covid-19 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant.

MethodsSystematic search was conducted on April 6th, 2022, on…

The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages BA.2.12.1, BA.2.13, BA.4 and BA.5 all contain L452 mutations and show potential higher transmissibility over BA.21. The new variants receptor binding and immune evasion…

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant first emerged as the BA.1 sub-lineage, with extensive escape from neutralizing immunity elicited by previous infection with other variants, vaccines, or combinations of both1,2. Two…

ObjectivesFor Tanzania including Zanzibar, The development of the COVID-19 pandemic has remained unclear, since reporting cases was suspended during2020/21. The present study provides first data on the COVID-19 seroprevalence among…

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has many variants capable of rapid transmission causing serious illness. Timely surveillance of new variants is essential for an effective public health response. Ensuring…

BackgroundBreakthrough infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) has occurred in populations with high vaccination rates. These infections are due to sequence variation in…

BackgroundThe most recent variant of concern, Omicron (B.1.1.529), has caused numerous cases worldwide including the Republic of Korea due to its fast transmission and reduced vaccine effectiveness.

MethodsA mathematical model…

Omicron B.1.1.529 became the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in early 2022, causing a new wave of public anxiety. Compared to the ancestral strain, Omicron has 50 mutations, with over 30 mutations…

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.529), first identified during November 2021, is rapidly spreading throughout the world, replacing the previously dominant Delta variant. Omicron has a high number of mutations…

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) has brought with it a large increase in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 disease worldwide. However, there is hardly any data on the…

The highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has replaced previous variants and is less susceptible to neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccination or infection1-3. Currently, BA.2 is the dominant omicron sublineage4.…

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.529 (Omicron) was first described in November 2021 and soon became the dominant variant worldwide. Existing data suggests a reduced disease severity in comparison to…

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel and highly pathogenic coronavirus, which has caused an outbreak in Wuhan City, China, in 2019 and then spread rapidly throughout the world. Although several COVID-19 vaccines…

The Omicron (BA.1/B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 harbors an alarming 37 mutations on its spike protein, reducing the efficacy of current COVID-19 vaccines. This study identified CD8+ and CD4+ T cell…

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic resulting in millions of deaths worldwide. Increasingly contagious variants of concern (VoC) have fueled recurring global infection waves. A…

Covid-19 variants transmissibility was quantitatively analyzed in silico to understand the reaction mechanisms and to find the reaction inhibitors. Especially, SARS-CoV-2 omicron mutant (omicron S-RBD) binding affinity with human angiotensin-converting…

We report wastewater surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern by using mutation-specific, real-time PCR and rapid nanopore sequencing. This surveillance might be useful for an early warning in a scenario…

The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2 rapidly becomes dominant globally. Its extensive mutations confer severe efficacy reduction to most of existing antibodies or vaccines. Here, we developed RAMIHM, a highly…

The recent surge of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) coincided with new treatment options for mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in high-risk adolescents and adults. In this report we describe patient characteristics, treatment-related process…

BackgroundReal-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing on a nasopharyngeal swab is the current standard for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection. Since collection of this sample type is experienced uncomfortable by patients, saliva-…

The impact of SARS-CoV2 vaccination in cancer patients remains incompletely understood given the heterogeneity of cancer and cancer therapies. We assessed vaccine-induced antibody response to the SARS-CoV2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant…

The Omicron BA.1 (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant is characterized by a high number of mutations in the viral genome, associated with immune-escape and increased viral spread. It remains unclear whether milder…

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 424 million infections and 5.9 million deaths so far. The vaccines used against SARS-COV-2 by now have been able to develop some neutralising…

Many neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) elicited to ancestral SARS-CoV-2 through natural infection and vaccination generally have reduced effectiveness to SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here we show therapeutic antibody ADG20 is able to neutralize…

A new SARS-CoV-2 variant named Omicron (B.1.1.529) discovered initially in South Africa has recently been proposed as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization, because of its…

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has two subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2, that are genetically quite divergent. We conducted a matched, test-negative, case-control study to estimate duration of protection of mRNA…

In this report, we mechanistically reveal how the Variant of Concern (VOC) SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) escapes neutralizing antibody responses, by characterization of this variant, and wildtype Wuhan and Delta variant…

The newly identified Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has steered concerns across the world due to the possession of a large number of mutations…

Multiple severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that have mutations associated with increased transmission and antibody escape have arisen over the course of the current pandemic. Although the…

As SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) continues to inflict chaos globally, a new variant officially known as B.1.1.529 was reported in South Africa and was found to harbor…

Development of the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine has emerged as an effective and speedy strategy to control the spread of new pathogens. After vaccination, the mRNA is translated into the…

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern evades antibody-mediated immunity that comes from vaccination or infection with earlier variants due to accumulation of numerous spike mutations. To understand the Omicron antigenic…

Background: Clinical severity of patients hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron (fourth) wave was assessed and compared to trends in the D614G (first), Beta (second), and Delta (third) waves…

Understanding the scale of the threat posed by SARS-CoV2 B.1.1.529, or Omicron , variant formed a key problem in public health in the early part of 2022. Early evidence indicated…

Rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are now in widespread use in the United States. RADTs play an important role in maintaining an…

CDC recommends that all persons aged ≥12 years receive a booster dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine ≥5 months after completion of a primary mRNA vaccination series and that immunocompromised persons…

The newly reported Omicron variant is poised to replace Delta as the most prevalent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant across the world. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structural analysis…

The immunity potency upon natural infection or vaccination is the main concern for the vaccine strategy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2（SARS COV-2 variant）, especially the recently reported Omicron…

During November 19-21, 2021, an indoor convention (event) in New York City (NYC), was attended by approximately 53,000 persons from 52 U.S. jurisdictions and 30 foreign countries. In-person registration for…

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) has rapidly replaced the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) to become dominant in England. This epidemiological study assessed differences in transmissibility between the Omicron and Delta using…

Wastewater-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surveillance of Frankfurt Airport by genome sequencing was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants entering the region. In November 2021, we found all…

With the rapid roll out of vaccination programs and extraordinary non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) by the government, China has maintained a "dynamic zero-COVID-19" policy over the last two years. However, the…

We report the complete genome sequence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (lineage B.1.1.529) from a Belgian patient with a history of recent travel to…

The newly emerged Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has numerous mutations that are not found in other variants of concern (VOCs). Despite acquiring extended functions in adapting to the host-cell environment,…

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues worldwide with many variants arising, some of which are variants of concern (VOCs). A recent VOC, omicron (B.1.1.529), which obtains a large number…

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public health threat. Multiple mutations in the spike protein of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 appear to impact on the effectiveness of available vaccines.…

The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2 with multiple novel mutations has reduced the neutralization potential of vaccinated individuals sera. World Health Organization has suggested that a vaccination strategy based on…

Importance: Assessing COVID-19 vaccine performance against the rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is critical to inform public health guidance. Objective: To estimate the association between receipt of 3 doses of…

Factors affecting functional antibody responses in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) to current SARS-CoV2 vaccines are not well understood. Here, we measured vaccine-induced neutralizing activities against the D614G-CoV2 baseline virus…

The waning efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, combined with the continued emergence of variants resistant to vaccine-induced immunity, has reignited debate over the need for booster vaccine doses. To address this,…

A major goal of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the induction of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) capable of blocking infection by preventing interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein with ACE2 on target cells.…

During the 2020/2021 school year, kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools in under-resourced communities were more likely to close due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and students in these…

Vaccination and infection by viral variants are shaping population immunity to SARS-CoV-21 and breakthrough infections of vaccinated or previously infected individuals have become common as variants evade preexisting immunity. Omicron…

In mid-December 2021, the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, surpassed the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant as the predominant strain in California.§ Initial reports suggest that the…

The globally circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) has a large number of mutations, especially in the spike protein, indicating that recognition by…

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant possesses numerous spike (S) mutations that enhance transmissibility and evasion of neutralizing antibodies, making it a serious threat to existing COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. Accurately…

The SARS-CoV-2 21K/BA.1, 21L/BA.2, and BA.3 Omicron variants have recently emerged worldwide. To date, the 21L/BA.2 Omicron variant has remained very minority globally but became predominant in Denmark instead of…

Safe and effective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants are the best approach to successfully combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of…

Recurrent waves of SARS CoV2 infections remain a major global health concern. Emergence of highly infectious variants with reduced sensitivity to neutralization by vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) necessitates a…

The B.1.1.529 Omicron variant jeopardizes vaccines designed with early pandemic spike antigens. Here, we evaluated in mice the protective activity of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against B.1.1.529 before or after…

BACKGROUNDQatar has been experiencing a large SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) wave that started on December 19, 2021. We assessed duration of protection of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines after…

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as severe COVID-19-associated outcomes in real-world conditions (1,2). The risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection and…

Recently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) was first identified in Botswana in November 2021. It was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO)…

The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is spreading rapidly, even in vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about immune escape. Here, we studied neutralizing antibodies and T-cell…

The first case of the new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant of Concern (VOC) from South Africa was reported to WHO on November 24, 2021.….

To clarify transmissibility of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant, we determined serial intervals and secondary attack rates among household contacts in South Korea. Mean serial interval…

Safe and effective vaccines are the best method to defeat worldwide SARS-CoV-2 and its circulating variants. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein and its subunits are the most attractive targets for the…

The highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has been shown to evade a substantial fraction of neutralizing antibody responses elicited by current vaccines that encode the WA1/2020 Spike1. Cellular immune…

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant has led to growing concerns of increased transmissibility and escape of both natural and vaccine-induced immunity.…

BackgroundReports of SARS-CoV-2 causing laryngotracheobronchitis (commonly known as croup) have been limited to small case series. Early reports suggest the Omicron (B.1.1.529) strain of SARS-CoV-2 (the dominant circulating US strain…

Since the inception of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019, many variants have emerged over time. Some of these variants have resulted in transmissibility changes of the virus and may also have…

Previous reports of COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates by vaccination status† indicate that vaccine protection against infection, as well as serious COVID-19 illness for some groups, declined with the…

We assessed the ability of the BinaxNow rapid test to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antigen from 4 individuals with Omicron and Delta infections. We performed serial dilutions…

B.1.1.529 is the SARS-CoV-2 variant designated Omicron by the WHO in November 2021. It is a highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations, including 26-32 mutations in the…

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to mutate and evolve with the emergence of omicron (B.1.1.529) as the new variant of concern. The rapid spread of this…

Mass COVID-19 vaccination, as the last resort to bring society to a new normal, has been rapidly rolled out in the US. However, because of the lifting of international travel…

The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2 has placed enormous strain on global healthcare systems since it was first identified by South African researchers in late 2021. Omicron has >50 mutations…

The genomic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 is the result of a relatively low level of spontaneous mutations introduced during viral replication. With millions of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences now available, we can…

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization classified B.1.1.529 as a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant of concern (VoC), named omicron. Spike-gene dropouts in conventional SARS-CoV-2…

The recent emergence of B.1.1.529, the Omicron variant1,2 has raised concerns for escape from protection by vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. A key test for potential countermeasures against B.1.1.529 is their…

Global concern has been raised by the emergence and rapid transmission of the heavily mutated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). So far, the infection features and immune escape ability of the…

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) has exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic. End of November 2021, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant namely the omicron (B.1.1.529) emerged. Since this omicron variant…

Estimates of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE) have declined in recent months (1,2) because of waning vaccine induced immunity over time,* possible increased immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2 variants (3), or…

The progression of the COVID-19 pandemic leads to the emergence of variants of concern (VOC), which may compromise the efficacy of the currently administered vaccines. Antigenic drift can potentially bring…

The new variant of concern (VOC) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Omicron (B.1.1.529), is genetically very different from other VOCs. We compared Omicron with the preceding…

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public health threat with emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. Nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332) is a reversible, covalent inhibitor targeting the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 and…

The new variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in November 2021, is rapidly spreading all around the world. The Omicron becomes the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2. There are many…

The emergence of the highly transmissible B.1.1.529 Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is concerning for antibody countermeasure efficacy because of the number of mutations in…

Highlight (Word Count: 49): We conducted contact-tracing investigation of multiple patients and healthcare workers exposed to a pre-symptomatic physician, triple-vaccinated with BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, infected with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant.…

Since severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 variant B.1.1.529 (omicron) was first reported to the World Health Organization on November 24, 2021, the cases of the omicron variant have been detected in…

Emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant-of-concern (VOC) B.1.1.529 (Omicron) in late 2021 has raised alarm among scientific and health care communities due to a surprisingly large number of mutations in its…

The massive and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has led to the emergence of several viral variants of concern (VOCs), with the most recent one, B.1.1.529 (Omicron), which accumulated a large…

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern (VOC) has destabilized global efforts to control the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).…

The newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant first identified in South Africa in November 2021 is characterized by an unusual number of amino acid mutations in its spike that renders…

A new variant of concern for SARS-CoV-2, Omicron (B.1.1.529), was designated by the World Health Organization on November 26, 2021. This study analyzed the viral genome sequencing data of 108…

Recent emergence of SARS CoV-2 variants demonstrates the potential of this virus for targeted evolution, despite its overall genomic stability. Here we show the dynamics and the mechanisms behind the…

BackgroundThe Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly achieved global dissemination, accounting for most infections in the United States by December 2021. Risk of severe outcomes associated with Omicron infections,…

Omicron (B.1.1.529), a highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant, has emerged in the south of African continent in the November 2021. The spike protein of Omicron has 26 amino acid mutations, which…

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) have been associated with enhanced transmissibility and immune escape. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the whole genome is the gold standard for variant identification for…

Due to the continuous emergence of multiple variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome cronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused severe morbidity and mortality worldwide in the last…

Tracking the evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) through genomic surveillance programs is undoubtedly one of the key priorities in the current pandemic situation. Although the…

The National Institute of Research and Public Health reported the first local record of the Omicron variant detected in Ecuador. A fully vaccinated subject returned from South Africa with a…

The latest severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) has ushered panic responses around the world due to its contagious and vaccine escape mutations. The essential infectivity…

Recent surveillance has revealed the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (BA.1/B.1.1.529) harboring up to 36 mutations in spike protein, the target of neutralizing antibodies. Given its potential to escape…

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant first emerged in early November 2021, has prompted worldwide fear due to its contagiousness and immunity escaping capacity. This article is protected by copyright. All…

A new SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant of Concern has been emerging worldwide. We are seeing an unprecedented surge in patients due to Omicron in this COVID-19 pandemic. A rapid and…

Large-scale vaccination campaigns have prevented countless SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. However, the emergence of variants that escape from immunity challenges the effectiveness of current vaccines. Given this continuing evolution,…

The highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has been shown to evade a substantial fraction of neutralizing antibody responses elicited by current vaccines that encode the WA1/2020 Spike immunogen1, resulting…

BACKGROUND: Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is an important route of infection. For the wildtype (WT) only a small proportion of those infected emitted large quantities of the virus. The currently…

Genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 continue to dramatically alter the landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recently described variant of concern designated Omicron (B.1.1.529) has rapidly spread worldwide and is now…

The rapid spread of the highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has raised substantial concerns about the protective efficacy of currently available vaccines. We assessed Omicron-specific humoral and cellular immune responses…

The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was initially identified in November of 2021 in South Africa and Botswana as well as in a sample…

The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) was first detected in specimens collected on November 11, 2021, in Botswana and on November 14 in South Africa;*…

The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is spreading rapidly, even in vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about immune escape. Here, we studied neutralizing antibodies and T-cell…

Omicron has been shown to be highly transmissible and have extensive evasion of neutralizing antibody immunity elicited by vaccination and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Omicron infections are rapidly expanding worldwide often…

In November 2021, 14 international travel-related severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant of concern (VOC) patients were detected in South Korea. Epidemiologic investigation revealed community transmission…

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron) contains 15 mutations on the receptor-binding domain (RBD). How Omicron would evade RBD neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) requires immediate investigation. Here, we used high-throughput yeast display…

The world identified the rapidly increasing incidence of the causative variant of SARS-CoV-2 Pangolin B [...].

The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) was only recently detected in southern Africa, but its subsequent spread has been extensive, both regionally and globally1.…

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern Omicron (Pango lineage B.1.1.529), first identified in Botswana and South Africa, may compromise vaccine effectiveness and lead to re-infections1. Here we investigated…

To assess differences in the risk of hospitalisation between the Omicron variant of concern (1) and the Delta variant, we analysed data from all PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in England with…

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated over time, resulting in genetic variation in the population of circulating viral strains over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular, antigen, and serology tests…

On 26 November 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified variant B.1.1.529, reported earlier by the South African authorities as “Variant of Concern” with the name Omicron. The decision was…

On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern (VOC), on the basis of advice from WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution. The variant has…

On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern (VOC), on the basis of advice from WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution. The variant has…

Recently a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was reported from South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) named this mutant as a variant of concern - Omicron (B.1.1.529) on 26th November 2021.…

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Omicron is a variant of the COVID-19 virus that is causing considerable concern worldwide, with an increasing number of countries re-imposing national lockdowns. Our objective…

The novel SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant may increase the risk of re-infection and vaccine breakthrough infections as it possesses key mutations in the spike protein that affect neutralizing antibody response. Most…

INTRODUCTION: Recently, the rapid surge of reported COVID-19 cases attributed to the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) created an immediate concern across nations. Local information pertaining…

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the tongue and pulse manifestations in asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Shanghai. METHODS: We conducted a clinical study of 668 patients with asymptomatic infections in…

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with Omicron variant combined with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: From March 23, 2022 to May 15,…

BackgroundThere are conflicting reports on the performance of rapid antigen detection tests (RDT) in the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant; however, these tests continue to be used frequently…

The role that children play in the transmission of the omicron variant is unclear. Here we report an outbreak that started in young children attending various pediatric facilities, leading to…