Emergence of an Antigenically Drifted and Reassorted Influenza B Virus at the end of the 2024-25 Influenza Season.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Influenza B virus is a significant contributor to annual total and severe cases of influenza, particularly in the young and elderly. Coupling whole virus genome sequencing with the monitoring of influenza cases allows for the identification of increased disease burden and the emergence of novel virus variants.

Methods

Influenza B virus infected individuals were identified in the Johns Hopkins Health Systems network and whole IBV genome sequencing was performed. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignments were used to identify the IBV clades and novel virus mutations. The amount of neutralizing antibody activity specific to different IBV clades was measured.

Results

Late in the 2024-25 Northern Hemisphere influenza season, a surge of IBV cases were identif

SUBMITTER: Akin E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12330566 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature