Molecular and genetic characteristic of some Omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prospects for vaccine prevention of COVID-19
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31073/onehealthjournal2025-I-01Keywords:
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, molecular genetic characteristic, vaccines, immune imprintingAbstract
Over a period of 5 years, the emergent SARS-CoV-2 virus underwent a process of adaptation to the human body as a species host and acquired evolutionary changes that bring it closer to routine respiratory viruses in terms of epidemic and clinical characteristics. The work presents systematized information on the molecular genetics and antigenic characteristics of variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, categories of their potential danger with a detailed description of spike mutations of current sub-variants of the Omicron virus (Variants of Interest (VOI) - BA.2.86, JN.1; Variants under Monitoring (VUM) - JN.1.7, JN.1.18, KP.2, KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1 and XEC) and its de-escalated subvariants. The effect of some mutations or their combinations on the properties of the virus is characterized. The current trends in the prevalence of the priority Omicron VOI and VUM variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the world are estimated and the trend of a rapid increase in the intensity of circulation of the KP.3.1.1 and XEC variants against the background of a decrease in the circulation of other variants in the fall of 2024 is shown. The issue of immune imprinting for COVID-19 associated with both natural infection and vaccination depending on vaccine strain variants is considered. The characterization of the FDA-recommended COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024/2025 season is provided, taking into account the manufacturing technology, vaccine strains, and purpose. Based on the analysis of the current data on the effectiveness of vaccines in relation to the risks of infection, the severity of the course of the disease and mortality, the need to vaccinate individuals only from risk groups, that is, according to medical and age indications, is emphasized in order to reduce the severity of the clinical course of the disease and mortality. However, the composition of these vaccines must correspond to the epidemically relevant variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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