[Influenza viruses in man and animals. A literature review (author's transl)]

Influenza viruses in man and animals. A literature reviewA literature review on the influenza viruses is presented in this paper. A description of the disease in man and domestic animals, as well as general considerations on morphological, physicochemical and antigenic properties of these viruses is given. Emphasis is put on the role of the antigenic changes of these viruses with regard to the epidemiology of the disease, as well as on the possible origin of the pandemic and epidemic strains.