Vera Anderson

During the virus lifecycle, viruses accumulate mutations that alter their antigenic surface, leading to antigenic drift or shift, allowing the virus to escape immune surveillance by the host. Antigenic drift is most commonly observed in influenza viruses, rendering previously effective vaccines and immune responses ineffective against new variants. Antigenic shift, on the other hand, occurs when genetic reassortment causes mutations on the virus surface, forming new viral subtypes, often leading to outbreaks or pandemics.

One important task of mutation analysis is identifying mutation hotspots. These hotspots are critical amino acid residues involved in antibody-antigen interactions. When mutations occur at these sites, they can significantly reduce antibody affinity, affecting the vaccine’s protective efficacy. As viruses evolve, vaccine protection may diminish, especially for vaccines targeting specific antigenic mutations.