Nancy Lapid

NEW YORK (Reuters). Researchers have determined that at least one variant of COVID-19, the Omicron Omicron Omicron strain of virus that causes COVID-19, was likely to be acquired by absorbing genetic material from another virus – potentially one that can cause the common cold – in the infected cells.

Researchers discovered that the genetic sequence was absent in SARS-CoV-2’s earlier version of coronavirus. But it is present in many viruses, such as those that cause common cold, as well in human genomes.

Omicron could be looking more human by inserting this snippet inside itself. That would make it less vulnerable to attack from the human immune systems, according to Venky Soundararajan (Cambridge, Massachusetts-based data analytical firm nference), who was the leader of Thursday’s study https://osf.io/f7txy, which was published on the OSF Preprints site.

It could be that the virus is more likely to spread easily and causes milder or less severe disease. Scientists don’t yet know if Omicron causes more severe illness, is more prevalent than others or will surpass Delta. These questions may not be answered for several weeks.

Research has shown that cells located in the lungs or in the digestive system could harbor SARS CoV-2 and common cold coronaviruses at the same time. These co-infections can set the stage for viral recombination. This is a process where two virus types in one host cell make copies of each other, creating new copies with some genetic material.

Soundararajan, colleagues and others suggested that the new mutation may have been first seen in someone infected by both viruses.

Soundararajan explained that the same gene sequence is present in many instances in coronaviruses causing colds, such as HCoV-229E. It also appears in HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses) that causes AIDS.

South Africa has the most HIV-positive people in the world. Omicron was discovered there. HIV weakens an individual’s immune system, increases vulnerability to common cold viruses, and can also cause other infections. Soundararajan indicated that Omicron could have been created in this region of the globe by recombination.

Soundararajan stated that “we probably missed many generations” of recombinations over the years that resulted in Omicron.

To confirm Omicron’s origins as well as their effect on transmission and function, more research is required. Divergent theories suggest that Omicron’s latest variant could have been able to evolve in an animal host.

Soundararajan explained that in the interim, new research highlights the importance for individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccines.

Soundararajan explained that you must vaccinate in order to lower the chances of people with immunocompromised being exposed to the SARS virus-CoV-2 virus.