Influenza A, particularly which subtype, is known to mutate more frequently?

Study for the UF CPP Infectious Diseases Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Influenza A, particularly which subtype, is known to mutate more frequently?

Explanation:
Influenza A viruses change mainly through antigenic drift in the surface proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Among the human-circulating subtypes, the H3N2 lineage shows more rapid antigenic drift than H1N1, meaning its surface antigens mutate more often from year to year. This leads to greater immune escape and more frequent updates to the vaccine. Influenza B and C aren’t grouped into the same H/N subtypes, and C changes even less. So the subtype known for more frequent mutation is H3N2.

Influenza A viruses change mainly through antigenic drift in the surface proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Among the human-circulating subtypes, the H3N2 lineage shows more rapid antigenic drift than H1N1, meaning its surface antigens mutate more often from year to year. This leads to greater immune escape and more frequent updates to the vaccine. Influenza B and C aren’t grouped into the same H/N subtypes, and C changes even less. So the subtype known for more frequent mutation is H3N2.

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