An analysis of the antigenic structure of the hemagglutinins from different strains of the influenza B virus by using monoclonal antibodies

A comparative immunological analysis of the antigenic composition of hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza B virus drift-variants isolated during 46 years was carried out using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to HA of B/Oregon 5/80 virus in HI test and solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. The presence of type- and group-specific antigenic determinants was demonstrated which agreed with our previous data obtained in studies with polyvalent sera. However, using Mab three more group-specific determinants were detected which characterize HA of influenza B viruses isolated in 1970-1979, 1970-1984, and 1970-1986.