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Original antigenic sin. A confounding issue?
1University of Bergen, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Gade Institute, Bergen High Technology Centre, Bergen, Norway. lars.haaheim@gades.uib.no
Developments in Biologicals
|April 20, 2004
Summary
The Doctrine of Original Antigenic Sin describes the immune system's response to earlier influenza strains after newer variants emerge. This phenomenon, though documented, has limited epidemiological relevance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Doctrine of Original Antigenic Sin, first proposed in 1953, describes a specific immune response to influenza.
- This concept has largely been overlooked and infrequently studied since its inception.
- The term is often misused to describe general cross-reactions, rather than its specific definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the precise definition of the Doctrine of Original Antigenic Sin.
- To differentiate it from classical cross-reactions in immunology.
- To assess its potential epidemiological significance.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical literature and immunological principles.
- Analysis of serological responses to influenza strains.
- Distinguishing strain-specific responses from general cross-reactivity.
Main Results:
- The Doctrine of Original Antigenic Sin specifically refers to the strain-specific antibody response to prior influenza strains post-infection or vaccination with later variants.
- This response occurs irrespective of antigenic shifts during the study period.
- Antibodies generated via this mechanism are unlikely to have significant epidemiological impact.
Conclusions:
- Clarification of the Doctrine of Original Antigenic Sin definition is provided.
- The immunological phenomenon has limited epidemiological relevance.
- Distinguishing this specific response from general cross-reactions is crucial for accurate interpretation.