Genetic drift evolution under vaccination pressure among H5N1 Egyptian isolates
Ahmed S Abdel-Moneim, Manal A Afifi and Magdy F El-Kady
Virology Journal 2011, 8:283 doi:10.1186/1743-422X-8-283
Published: 8 June 2011
Abstract (provisional)
Background
The highly pathogenic H5N1 is a major avian pathogen that intensively affects the poultry industry in Egypt even in spite of the adoption of vaccination strategy. Antigenic drift is among the strategies the influenza virus uses to escape the immune system that might develop due to the pressure of extensive vaccination. H5N1 mutates in an intensified manner and is considered a potential candidate for the possible next pandemic with all the catastrophic consequences such an eventuality will entail.
[snip]
Conclusion
The current data provides a comprehensive view of HA gene evolution among H5N1 subtype viruses in Egypt. Egyptian H5N1-AIVs are constantly undergoing genetic changes and reveal a complex pattern of drifts. These findings raise the concerns about the value of using influenza vaccines in correlation with the development of antigenic drift in influenza epidemics.
