Circumstance of Omicron Sub Variant BF.7 in India: A Review

The Omicron variant of SARS‐CoV‐2 has unique changes in the structural amino acid. Thus, Omicron subvariants are different from other coronavirus variants in terms of viral spread, disease severity, vaccine neutralization capacity, and immunity evade. Moreover, Omicron subvariant BF.7 is an offspring of BA.4 and BA.5. Similar S glycoprotein sequences are present among BF.7, BA.4, and BA.5. There is a change in the R346T gene in the receptor binding site of Omicron BF.7 than other Omicron subvariants. A number of new Omicron subvariants, including BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BA.4.6, BF.7, and BA.2.75.2, have appeared as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus' ongoing development. All of the novel subvariants that we identified had increased neutralisation resistance, but the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants—driven mostly by their respective F486S mutations—and the BA.2.75.2 subvariant—driven primarily by their respective R346T and K444T mutations—were particularly affected. Interestingly, the D1199N mutation decreased the fusogenicity and S processing of the BA.2.75.2 subvariant, whereas the F486S mutation increased both. As a result, there was little overall change. This BF.7 subvariant has created a limitation in current monoclonal antibody therapy. Omicron has mutated since it emerged, and the subvariants are improving in terms of transmission as well as antibody evasion. Therefore, the healthcare authorities should pay attention to the BF.7 subvariant of Omicron.