A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2

Abstract. Omicron is currently the dominant variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Omicron is associated with mild symptoms, although it can cause harmful effects in high-risk patient...

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Main Authors: Rachel Parise, Sindhu Ramesh, Jun Ren, Manoj Y. Govindarajulu, Rishi M. Nadar, Suhrud Pathak, Timothy Moore, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW 2023-09-01
Series:Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000092
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author Rachel Parise
Sindhu Ramesh
Jun Ren
Manoj Y. Govindarajulu
Rishi M. Nadar
Suhrud Pathak
Timothy Moore
Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
author_facet Rachel Parise
Sindhu Ramesh
Jun Ren
Manoj Y. Govindarajulu
Rishi M. Nadar
Suhrud Pathak
Timothy Moore
Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
author_sort Rachel Parise
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Omicron is currently the dominant variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Omicron is associated with mild symptoms, although it can cause harmful effects in high-risk patient populations. Omicron and COVID-19 affect multiple organ systems, including the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, ophthalmic system, genitourinary tract, and musculoskeletal system. COVID-19 infects additional organ systems, including the hematological system, hepatobiliary system, renal system, and dermatologic system. The viral-induced complications were compared to discuss the effects of Omicron versus the authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus, revealing less detrimental outcomes for Omicron. Moreover, COVID-19 is more likely to infect older adults, males, and obesity with mild to severe symptoms. Omicron causes mild symptoms in younger populations and overweight females. Data were acquired using PubMed, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, and the World Health Organization. COVID-19 and Omicron mechanisms causing organ system-related complications are likely because of the natural immune response to the active infection, the uncontrollable release of cytokines causing cytokine release syndrome, and direct viral damage through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/transmembrane serine protease 2 receptor binding and entrance to the host cell for infection.
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spelling doaj-art-a7edfa7eb8d34d11a628ad06508eefe92025-08-20T02:26:10ZengWolters Kluwer Health/LWWEmergency and Critical Care Medicine2097-06172693-860X2023-09-013311512110.1097/EC9.0000000000000092202309000-00005A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2Rachel Parise0Sindhu Ramesh1Jun Ren2Manoj Y. Govindarajulu3Rishi M. Nadar4Suhrud Pathak5Timothy Moore6Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran7a Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAa Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAb Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, Chinaa Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAa Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAa Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAa Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAa Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAAbstract. Omicron is currently the dominant variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Omicron is associated with mild symptoms, although it can cause harmful effects in high-risk patient populations. Omicron and COVID-19 affect multiple organ systems, including the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, ophthalmic system, genitourinary tract, and musculoskeletal system. COVID-19 infects additional organ systems, including the hematological system, hepatobiliary system, renal system, and dermatologic system. The viral-induced complications were compared to discuss the effects of Omicron versus the authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus, revealing less detrimental outcomes for Omicron. Moreover, COVID-19 is more likely to infect older adults, males, and obesity with mild to severe symptoms. Omicron causes mild symptoms in younger populations and overweight females. Data were acquired using PubMed, Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, and the World Health Organization. COVID-19 and Omicron mechanisms causing organ system-related complications are likely because of the natural immune response to the active infection, the uncontrollable release of cytokines causing cytokine release syndrome, and direct viral damage through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/transmembrane serine protease 2 receptor binding and entrance to the host cell for infection.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000092
spellingShingle Rachel Parise
Sindhu Ramesh
Jun Ren
Manoj Y. Govindarajulu
Rishi M. Nadar
Suhrud Pathak
Timothy Moore
Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran
A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2
Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
title A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2
title_full A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2
title_fullStr A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2
title_full_unstemmed A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2
title_short A scientific perspective of how and why Omicron is less severe than SARS-CoV-2
title_sort scientific perspective of how and why omicron is less severe than sars cov 2
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000092
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