The latest research on the new variant Omicron has shown that it is relatively less sensitive to neutralizing antibodies when compared to the Delta variant. The rapid spread of Omicron has surprised everyone in the health system.
Omicron Is Less Sensitive To Neutralizing Antibodies
The first case of the new variant was detected as early as late November in South Africa, and it has already become the dominant variant across the world.
Omicron has already reached most parts of the world and slowly replaced earlier variants to become the most dominant. According to reports from CDC, the peak of this wave is likely to come in the next few weeks if the Omicron continues to surge in the same manner across the US.
The new variant is even affecting people who have received both doses of vaccines in the past. However, the symptoms are less severe when compared to Delta, and the cases of hospitalizations are also less in this situation.
Researchers who have studied the sensitivity of Omicron with regards to monoclonal antibodies and natural antibodies due to previous infections have found that Omicron is less sensitive when compared to Delta. The participants belonged to both groups who had received two doses of vaccines and others who had natural antibodies due to the previous infection.
Surprisingly, the antibodies in the blood became ineffective when it came to neutralizing Omicron just after five months after vaccination. A similar pattern was observed in participants who had been previously infected in the last year. However, those participants who received a booster dose performed better in neutralizing Omicron.
Even though the biological characteristics of this variant are not yet known, scientists are sure that this is more transmissible than the previous variants. This is also evident in the data available from CDC and other organizations worldwide. The US has reported more than two million cases in the last few days, showing the deadly nature of this new variant.
Scientists tested several monoclonal antibodies that are commonly used in practice to test against neutralizing Omicron. It was found that most of the antibodies lost the ability to neutralize Omicron, and only a few of them were mildly effective against Omicron.
However, the same monoclonal antibodies were very effective in preventing Delta. Several well-known antibodies like Etesevimab, Ronapreve, and Regdanvimab could not neutralize Omicron in these tests.
The results clearly showed that currently available monoclonal antibodies were not good enough to handle Omicron as the variants had developed adequate resistance. However, those participants who had received a booster dose in the recent months showed better resistance against Omicron. According to experts, the antibodies required to neutralize Omicron were several times more than that was required to neutralize Delta.
The important question is how effective will the booster dose be in the near future. Even though the vaccines cannot provide complete protection against contracting the virus, they are at least able to prevent severe symptoms in most individuals.
Current data shows that Omicron has clearly reduced the effectiveness of vaccines. However, the scientists have no other option but to rely on available vaccines to control the rapid spread of the new variant. It is still unknown why Omicron is more transmissible when compared to earlier variants. The new variant is also not deadly like Delta when it comes to common symptoms.
Health experts believe that a large number of mutations in the Omicron variant is the reason why it can avoid the immune response. However, the new variant is neutralized by a booster dose in many cases. In this regard, the effectiveness of the booster dose has to be analyzed in the long run.
