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Influenza
New findings from B.P. Blackburne and co-authors in the area of influenza published
September 3rd, 2008
"The rapid evolution of influenza viruses presents difficulties in maintaining the optimal efficiency of vaccines. Amino acid substitutions result in antigenic drift, a process whereby antisera raised in response to one virus have reduced effectiveness against future viruses," researchers in Mill Hill, the United Kingdom report. "Interestingly, while amino acid substitutions occur at a relatively constant rate, the antigenic properties of H3 move in a discontinuous, step-wise manner. It is not clear why this punctuated evolution occurs, whether this represents simply the fact that some substitutions affect these properties more than others, or if this is indicative of a...
Source: Vaccine Weekly (2008-09-03)
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