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The genome of viruses can mutate over time through a variety of mechanisms. Some viruses are more prone to these mutations than others. When the genome changes, this changes the proteins that are expressed by the virus, included the proteins that are present on the surface of the virus. These proteins are the antigens that are recognised by the host immune system and which trigger the immune response. Antigenic drift is when the genome of the virus mutates thus changing the antigens expressed by the virus. This means that an individual immunized against a virus may not be protected if the virus undergoes antigenic drift as the proteins present of the surface of the virus are not the same as the virus against which the individual was immunized.

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Is swine flu H1N1 an antigenic shift or drift?

Swine flu H1N1 is considered an antigenic shift, as it resulted from a reassortment of genetic material from different influenza virus strains in animals. This led to the emergence of a new subtype that can infect humans.


What are difference between antigen drift and antigenic shift?

Both are mutation occurs in virus (usually influenza). But the difference is: antigenic drift are mutation occurs in viral DNA/RNA that cause a person to be re-infected by the virus. while antigenic shift are mutation occurs in viral characteristic, which cause transition from being able to infect poultry ONLY (not human), --> able to infect BOTH poultry and human.


Does the influenza virus readily change the expressions of its genetic material?

RNA genome of influenza virus is segmented in to 7 pieces. It has the unique property of undergoing two types of genetic variation ie antigenic drift and antigenic shift. In antigenic drift the antigenic variations are minor where genetic recombination take place between strains of two similar species whereas in antigenic shift the recombination take place between strains of dissimilar species leading to major antigenic variations and hence seasonal epidemics.


What is the suffix of antigenic?

The suffix of antigenic is -ic.


What is CTL escape mutant?

These virus have changed their recognition sequence either via mutation or antigenic drift and are able to escape cytotoxic T lymphocytes of the immune response


Antigenic determinants is the site of an antobody?

Words " Antigenic Determinant " itself yells that it is on antigen


What are haptens?

antigenic when bound to proteins


What is antigenic variation?

An antigenic variation is the mechanism by which an infectious organism changes its surface proteins in favour of circumventing a host immune response.


What are antigens with only one antigenic site called?

Antigens with only one antigenic site are called Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)


What the name of a diamond in geometry?

the technical is a antigenic, frogulation.


What is an antigenic shift?

influenza A viruses can trade genetic materials with the viruses of other species. Two different strains trade or merge material, a process known as an antigenic shift.


What contributes to antigenic shift in influenza viruses?

a segmented genome