Question
The antigenic variation in the H1N1 virus, which allowed it to be transferred from humans to humans and caused the H1N1 2009 pandemic was caused by which process?
| A. |
Complementation
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| B. |
Recombination
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| C. |
Reassortment
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| D. |
Phenotypic mixing
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer � C
Explanation
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Ans:C, Reassortment
Segmented viruses like the H1N1 influenza virus, which is an Orthomyxoviridae undergo reassortment.
If a given person or animal is infected with multiple strains of H1N1, and more particularly if the same cell in the person or animal is infected with both strains then they can swap segments between each other, leading to the generation of reassorted virus particles.
Due to this coinfection with influenza virus from diverse animal species and subsequent reassortment, the viruses were able to interact, mutate and form new strains which had variable immunity and although it had originated in pigs, it was able to spread from human to human causing the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
In 2009, the pandemic which started in Mexico with the H1N1 strain showed a combination of segments of 4 influenza viruses: North American swine (30.6%), pig origin flu north American avian (34.4%), Bird origin flu human influenza strain (17.5%) and Eurasian swine (17.5%) (Quadruple genetic reassortment).
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