Recombinants of influenza virus type B as potential live vaccine candidates: RNA characterization and evaluation in man

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Abstract
Two recombinants (R22 and R75) of the attenuated B/USSR/69 strain Brigit and the virulent B/Hong Kong/5/72 and one recombinant (R5) of Brigit and the virulent B/Hong Kong/8/73 were selected for genotypic and phenotypic characterization. All three recombinants had the growth property of the attenuated parent Brigit. Analysis of their RNA's by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that, the strains R22 and R75 had derived all their genes from Brigit, those coding for haemagglutinin excepted. These recombinants were clinically evaluated and found to be attenuated and immunogenic. The recombinant R5 which derived, besides the gene coding for the haemagglutinin, several other genes from B/Hong Kong/8/73 was only partly attenuated since it induced influenza-like symptoms in one out of three volunteers.It is concluded that the strain Brigit can be used as a donor of genes for the attenuation of the B/Hong Kong/5/72 virus and that recombinants of influenza type B can be identified, like influenza type A recombinants, by their RNA pattern.