H3N2 Kiev
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
The H3N2 Influenza-A Virus Kiev/301/94 is a specific strain of the H3N2 subtype of the Influenza A virus. Influenza A viruses are known for causing seasonal flu epidemics and have a significant impact on public health worldwide. The H3N2 subtype, in particular, has been associated with severe flu seasons and higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to other subtypes.
The H3N2 subtype emerged in 1968 during the Hong Kong flu pandemic, which was caused by an antigenic shift. This shift involved the reassortment of genes from the H2N2 virus with avian influenza viruses, leading to the creation of the H3N2 virus . The Kiev/301/94 strain was isolated in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1994. It is one of many strains that have evolved from the original H3N2 virus through antigenic drift, a process where small genetic changes accumulate over time, allowing the virus to evade the immune system .
The H3N2 Influenza-A Virus Kiev/301/94, like other influenza A viruses, has a segmented, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genome. This genome is composed of eight segments, each encoding one or more proteins essential for the virus’s replication and pathogenicity . The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins on the virus’s surface are particularly important for its ability to infect host cells and spread within the host .
H3N2 viruses have been dominant in many flu seasons since their emergence. They tend to cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and young children. The Kiev/301/94 strain is one of many that have circulated globally, contributing to the genetic diversity of the H3N2 subtype . This diversity poses challenges for vaccine development, as the virus’s constant evolution requires frequent updates to the vaccine composition .
The H3N2 subtype, including the Kiev/301/94 strain, has been associated with higher hospitalization and mortality rates compared to other influenza subtypes. This is partly due to the virus’s ability to undergo frequent genetic changes, which can lead to reduced vaccine effectiveness . Public health efforts focus on surveillance, vaccination, and antiviral treatments to mitigate the impact of H3N2 influenza outbreaks .
