Scientists concerned. They discovered an “invisible” version of the Omicron

The Guardian newspaper reports that British scientists have identified an “invisible” version of the Omikron variant. Worryingly, it cannot be initially distinguished from other variants of the coronavirus using PCR testing.

1. The new version of the Omikron variant does not have one particular genetic change, thanks to which it is possible to determine the variant by means of a PCR test
2. There are two lines within the Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, which are quite genetically different. These two lines may behave differently, experts argue
3. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Omikron: Testing Problems

The invisible version shares many of the mutations in common with the standard Omicron, but lacks one particular genetic change that allows the use of PCR-type testing to mark the virus as a possible Omikron variant and subject it to full genetic sequencing to confirm this.

1. See also: “Calm before the storm”. Scientists from Israel about Omicron

This version is still detected as a coronavirus by all the usual tests and can be identified as Omikron through genetic sequencing, but catching probable cases through PCR testing greatly accelerated the identification of the Omikron variant, explains The Guardian.

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The researchers point out that it is too early to predict whether the new version of Omicron will spread in the same way as the standard version, but say it is genetically distinct and may behave differently.

This version was first spotted among the coronavirus samples sent in recent days from South Africa, Australia and Canada, but may already be spreading further. Of the seven cases identified so far, none come from the UK.

1. Also read: Soaring infections in South Africa. The guilty variant of Omikron

The discovery of a new form of the Omicron prompted researchers to split the line B.1.1.529 into the standard Omicron, designated BA.1, and the newer variant BA.2.

— There are two lines within the Omicron, BA.1 and BA.2, which are quite genetically different. These two lines may behave differently – believes prof. Francois Balloux, director of the Institute of Genetics at University College London.

As The Guardian explains, scientists use genome-wide analysis to confirm which variant of the coronavirus caused the infection, but PCR tests can sometimes give a clue. About half of the PCR machines in the UK look for three viral genes, but Omikron, like the Alpha variant, tests positive on only two of them. This is because the Omicron, like Alpha, has a genetic change called a deletion in the spike gene. Detection of this deletion by PCR suggests that it is an Omikron variant. The new version, however, does not have this change, hence the scientists informally called it “the invisible Omicron”.

One of the main unknowns is how the new version was created. While still classified as an Omicron, it is so genetically different that if it spreads rapidly, it could be considered a worrying variant. And according to the researchers, the emergence of two separate versions, BA.1 and BA.2, at a rapid pace from shared mutations would be disturbing, the journal writes.

From London Bartłomiej Niedziński (PAP)

This may interest you:

1. Dr. Fauci: Looks like Omicron is not that dangerous
2. How is the infection with Omikron done? The mutation does not have two symptoms
3. Does COVID-19 infection protect against Omicron infection?

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