How Many Types of Influenza Viruses Do You Know? 

In?uenza virus belongs to the family Orthomyxoviridae, which is a common contagious pathogen that causes acute respiratory tract illness in humans. In?uenza virus can be classi?ed into three types (A, B and C) based on matrix and nucleoproteins, of which Type A and B virus are prominent among the causes of severe respiratory illness.

Influenzavirus A:

According to different antigenicity of two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), in?uenza A virus can be further divided into 19 HA and 11 NA subtypes. This genus has one species, influenza A virus. Wild aquatic birds are the natural hosts for a large variety of influenza A. The type A viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three influenza types and cause the severest disease. The influenza A virus can be subdivided into different serotypes based on the antibody response to these viruses.

Influenzavirus B: Influenza B viruses cause the same spectrum of disease as influenza A. However, influenza B viruses do not cause pandemics. The only other animals known to be susceptible to influenza B infection are the seal and the ferret. This type of influenza mutates at a rate 2–3 times slower than type A and consequently is less genetically diverse, with only one influenza B serotype. As a result of this lack of antigenic diversity, a degree of immunity to influenza B is usually acquired at an early age. However, influenza B mutates enough that lasting immunity is not possible. This reduced rate of antigenic change, combined with its limited host range (inhibiting cross species antigenic shift), ensures that pandemics of influenza B do not occur.

Learn more about influenzavirus B.

Influenzavirus C:

Influenza C virus, which infects humans, dogs and pigs, sometimes causing both severe illness and local epidemics. However, influenza C is less common than the other types and usually only causes mild disease in children.

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As one of the excellent bio-manufacturers, Creative Diagnostics is capable of satisfying its clients with the high-quality antigens product and services. If you are in need of influenza A virus antigens (such as Inactivated Influenza A Antigen, IAV H1N1, IAV H2N2, IAV H3N2 and IAV H13N8 proteins), or influenza B virus antigens (IBV Hemagglutinin, IBV Matrix Proteins 1, IBV Nucleoprotein and IBV antigens), you can contact Creative Diagnostics for more detailed information.