The molecular basis of antigenic variation among A(H9N2) avian influenza viruses.

ABSTRACT: Avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses are an increasing threat to global poultry production and, through zoonotic infection, to human health where they are considered viruses with pandemic potential. Vaccination of poultry is a key element of disease control in endemic countries, but vaccine effectiveness is persistently challenged by the emergence of antigenic variants. Here we employed a combination of techniques to investigate the genetic basis of H9N2 antigenic variability and evaluate the role of different molecular mechanisms of immune escape. We systematically tested the influence of published H9N2 monoclonal antibody escape mutants on chicken antisera binding, determining that many have no significant effect. Substitutions introducing additional glycosylation sites were a notable excepti

SUBMITTER: Peacock TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6220119 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature