Subclade K (previously known as J.2.4.1) is gaining attention because it appears to be spreading much earlier in the flu ...

Computer generated 3D model, showing a cross-section of the green RNP spirals, blue hemagglutinin, red neuraminidase, and purple m2 ion channels that constitute the structure of the Influenza A Virus ...

Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein is the primary surface antigen targeted by the host immune response and a focus for development of novel vaccines, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), ...

In a recent article published in Immunity, researchers proposed that vaccines targeting the immunosubdominant yet conserved hemagglutinin (HA) stem could trigger broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs ...

In a recent study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers performed a quantitative assessment of the age-stratified seroprevalence of hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibodies ...

A new study found that a single mutation to the hemagglutinin protein of an H5N1 virus isolated from a dairy worker in Texas this spring switched the protein’s binding specificity from avian- to human ...

Vaccines work by exposing our immune system to viral proteins. Our immune system then recognizes these proteins as foreign molecules —antigens— and springs into action, neutralizing the threat. As ...

Unlike living organisms, to avoid extinction, viruses need to hijack living host machineries to generate new viruses. The devastating respiratory virus, influenza A virus, utilize its hemagglutinin ...

Helen Branswell covers issues broadly related to infectious diseases, including outbreaks, preparedness, research, and vaccine development. Follow her on Mastodon and Bluesky. You can reach Helen on ...

The human immune system protects the body from repeat attacks of the same pathogen by remembering past infections. However, viral antigenic evolution reduces the effectiveness of this immune memory ...