STRAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF ASIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS

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Abstract
It is evident from data available at present that the Asian variant resembles earlier type A strains in many respects, but differs significantly in some characteristics. Outstanding among the differences is a distinct antigenic composition accompanied by a wide variation in sensitivity to specific antibody and nonspecific inhibitor. In addition, the spectrum of species of erythrocytes which are agglutinated by Asian strains appears to be broader than for other type A viruses, and the hemagglutinating titers are generally lower. While it is not possible to draw a comparison between Asian strains and earlier type A strains with respect to isolation and growth in tissue culture, it is apparent that isolation in monkey kidney cells does not yield a strain of virus identical in behavior to that isolated in the chick embryo. While much information is already available, much additional study is necessary before a complete understanding of the behavior of the new variant, as well as possible relationships to earlier type A strains, may be realized.