The still unexplained origins of omicron |Paperjam News
The origin of the omicron variant is debated: while its existence is for the first time reported at the end of November in South Africa, the analysis of its genetic history supposes that it would have diverged in June 2021. Three hypotheses could explain this jump inThe very high time and number of mutations in this variant, according to Danielle Perez Bercoff, virologist and researcher at Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH): emergence from an immunosuppimed individual, the influence of a drug or a jump between speciesFrom an animal.
Explanations that could make it possible to better understand the extreme contagiousness of omicron, which imposes stronger restriction measures in European countries-Luxembourg itself could announce new ones this Wednesday.And to better respond to the threat of potential new variants.
What characterizes the omicron variant compared to other variants of COVID-19?
Danielle Perez Bercoff.- "Three aspects characterize the omicron variant: the quantity and quality of mutations, as well as the time factor.If we compare it to the original Wuhan 2020 strain, the Omicron variant is extremely mutated, much more than the other variants in circulation.Where there are a dozen mutations for the Beta or Delta variants linked to the SPIKE protein (the key that allows the COVID virus to enter our cells, editor's note), there are 32 for omicron.And that's without counting on the mutations of the genome other than those touching the SPIKE protein.
Are these many mutations different from what we have seen before?
"The DNA of the virus is made up of four bases (A, T, C and G; or A, U, C and G for RNA, editor's note) which will code the message allowing to manufacture the proteins of the virus.Most often, these mutations range from C to U. However, with omicron, they have gone from G to A. A difference that leads scientists to think that the cause of mutations is probably not the same as for previous variants.
En reconstituant son histoire génétique, le constat est qu’Omicron n’est pas un descendant direct des variants Alpha, Beta ou Delta. On estime qu’il aurait divergé à la mi-2021, vers juin.
Danielle Perez Bercoff, LIH
Finally, one of the particularities of omicron is the time factor ...
"By reconstructing its genetic history, the observation is that it is not a direct descendant of the Alpha, Beta or Delta variants.It is estimated that he would have diverged in mid-2021, around June.However, South Africa brought its existence to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24, almost six months later.
It takes a jump of almost six months.Why didn't we detect it earlier?
"Did he emerge in a country where the detection system is not good?In any case, South Africa monitors the epidemic well: their screening and monitoring system is as effective as in Europe.
Three other explanations are possible.The one that seems most likely is that of an immunosuppimed human host.As a rule, the virus remains more than three weeks at the host, which does not leave enough time for many mutations to take place.Therefore, the virus that comes out of it does not escape the immune response conferred by an infection or a vaccine.
But within an immunosuppimated individual - who does not have an optimal immune response, due to chemotherapy or AIDS, for example - the virus can stay longer, for 3, 4 or 5 months.He then has time to acquire many mutations.
Au sein d’un individu immunosupprimé, le virus peut rester plus longtemps, pendant 3, 4 ou 5 mois. Il a alors le temps d’acquérir de nombreuses mutations.
Danielle Perez Bercoff, LIH
The antiviral treatment Molnupiravir, developed by the American laboratory Merck to combat COVVI-19, is also pointed out ...
"The objective of such a medication is to mutate the virus so much that its proteins become bank to the point that it no longer has the possibility of replicating.This could explain the presence of many G to T mutations, which is the signature of the Molnupiravir.I don't believe it 100%, but it's a theory that exists.
Another hypothesis is that Micron comes from another animal species ...
"Most viruses are linked to species.In 2021, one or more individuals would have infected other animal species - mice, rats or lemurs.Then the virus would be ironed with man.It would be a change of species upside down.This would explain the six -month jump and the quality of the changes.But it has never been proven that there have been transmissions from these species to humans ...
How is it important to discover the origin of omicron?
"Knowing where it comes from is necessary to learn to manage it.If the molnupiravir was involved, it should no longer be given to treatment to patients.If it is a transmission of species, then infected people must protect their domestic animal ...
Omicron est plus infectieux, donc cela implique plus de gens infectés, donc plus de gens hospitalisés.
Danielle Perez Bercoff, LIH
Is the appearance of a variant such as Imacron disturbing?
"Yes, it's worrying.Omicron is more infectious, so that involves more infected people, so more hospitalized people.But we must weigh: this variant worries us because it partially escapes the vaccines, but not totally.Because, if these vaccines protect less well against omicron infections, they always protect against serious forms.
What are the solutions to protect themselves from it?
“It takes a third dose as quickly as possible, because it goes up the protection against 70%infections.And, in general, what is absolutely necessary is to vaccinate.With good vaccines, for all populations, especially in developing countries.There is a need for protection worldwide.
Nous ne retournerons pas à la normale ces prochaines années, malgré les vaccins.
Danielle Perez Bercoff, LIH
The situation was already precarious with Delta.She gets worse with omicron.Can we consider an exit of the crisis?
“Unfortunately, we will not return to normal in the coming years, despite the vaccines.I think we have to change our lifestyles and accept the fact that our behavior must evolve.Summer is surely more conducive to relax.But, during the winter, to find many in closed rooms, I think you have to stop this.You have to be more responsible, respect the barriers and wearing the mask.Several factors will help: massive vaccination and careful behavior during the winter. "
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