[Antigenic heterogeneity of influenza virus B neuraminidases]

Antigenic relationships among neuraminidases of influenza B viruses isolated in 1940-1980 were studied by means of the neuraminidase activity inhibition test using hypoimmune sera from rats and roosters. Cross-reactions between influenza B virus enzymes showed their antigenic heterogeneity. The results permit conclusion that among influenza B virus strains both the drift and shift variants may be distinguished by the antigenic composition of the neuraminidase component.