SARS-CoV-2 recombinant variant omicron XBB.1.5: A mini review Yau Yuan-Yeu1,*, Easterling Mona2, Kumar Ashwani3 1Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, OK, USA 2Tulsa Community College, Northeast Campus, 3727 East Apache St, Tulsa, OK74115, USA 3Department of Botany and Biotechnology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India *Corresponding author email id: academicfy1@gmail.com
Online published on 25 August, 2023. Abstract COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is constantly evolving. The latest variant of concern (VOC) is Omicron (PANGO lineage B.1.1). Omicron has branched into several highly transmissible and immune-evasive subvariants through mutations and recombination. One subvariant, XBB.1.5, was first observed in New York, USA during October 2022. The Omicron XBB.1.5 variant has several immune-evasive mutations, allowing it to spread more easily than previous Omicron variants. XBB.1.5 is driving a global wave through its extreme biological properties of immune escape and transmissibility, leading to an increased number of COVID-19 cases worldwide. XBB.1.5 is also the current dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in the US. It accounts for approximately 90% of COVID- 19 cases, as of 1 March 2023. This paper reviews the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant with a focus on its immune evasion properties and severity of illness. This review also discusses how some treatments lack effectiveness against this variant due to its mutations. Additionally, the influence of XBB.1.5 on COVID-19 treatments is discussed in detail. Finally, this review examines the impact of XBB.1.5 on the recently updated BA.4/5 bivalent booster vaccine program. Top Keywords COVID-19, Immunity evasion, Neutralisation antibody, Omicron XBB.1.5, Vaccine booster, Variant of concern. Top |