Influenza H3N2 Vaccines: Recent Challenges

Ahmed Mostafa; Stephan Pleschka

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2017.12.003

Influenza H3N2 Vaccines: Recent Challenges

Trends Microbiol. 2018 Feb;26(2):87-89. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.12.003.

Authors

Ahmed Mostafa¹, Stephan Pleschka²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany; Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, National Research Centre, Egypt.
² Institute of Medical Virology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Schubertstrasse 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany. Electronic address: stephan.pleschka@viro.med.uni-giessen.de.

PMID: 29268980
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.12.003

Abstract

H3N2-subtype influenza A viruses are major causes of seasonal influenza epidemics. Emerging H3N2 variants require the annual adjustment of the vaccine strain. Recently, studies addressing the reduced effectiveness of current H3N2 vaccines have identified production-related substitutions in the viral hemagglutinin antigen as a possible cause for reduced vaccine efficacy.

Keywords: H3N2 subtype; HA glycosylation; influenza vaccine; influenza virus.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Comment

MeSH terms

Antigens, Viral / immunology
Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / immunology
Humans
Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / immunology*
Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
Influenza, Human / epidemiology

Substances

Antigens, Viral
Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
Influenza Vaccines