Epidemic Influenza B and C in Navy Recruits, 1953-1954. I. Antigenic Studies on Influenza Virus, Type B.

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Abstract
An epidemic of influenza B occurred in the recruit population at the U.S.N.T.C., Gt. Lakes, Ill., during the spring of 1954. Complement-fixation (OF) and hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) data are presented on the 37 strains isolated in embryonated eggs from nasal washings of individuals who were ill with an acute respiratory disease. The CF and HI data show that the 1954 strains of influenza B viruses are antigenetically different from the 1940 Lee B, but are related to the 1950 and 1952 influenza B viruses. These observations were borne out with the neutralization test. If only Lee rooster antisera had been used for typing, and the Lee virus as antigen in the serological tests, the newly isolated strains would not have been identified. The CF test was of value only when antigens employed were prepared from the current epidemic strain (GL1760-54B) of influenza B.