Antigenic escape
Antigenic escape (pronounced: an-ti-jen-ic es-cape) is a mechanism that allows viruses to evade the immune response of the host organism. This process is a significant factor in the persistence and chronicity of various infections, particularly viral infections.
Etymology
The term "antigenic escape" is derived from the words "antigen", a substance that induces an immune response in the body, and "escape", referring to the ability of the virus to evade the immune response.
Mechanism
The immune system recognizes and responds to foreign substances, known as antigens, present on the surface of viruses. In response, it produces antibodies that bind to these antigens, marking them for destruction. Antigenic escape occurs when a virus alters its surface antigens, making it unrecognizable to the antibodies. This allows the virus to evade the immune response and continue to replicate within the host.
Implications
Antigenic escape has significant implications for vaccine development and disease control. It is a major challenge in the management of diseases such as HIV, influenza, and hepatitis C, which have high rates of antigenic variation. This process can lead to vaccine failure, as the immune response induced by the vaccine may not recognize the altered antigens on the virus.
Related Terms
- Antigenic drift: A mechanism of antigenic variation that involves minor changes in the virus's antigens due to genetic mutation.
- Antigenic shift: A mechanism of antigenic variation that involves major changes in the virus's antigens due to reassortment of viral genes.
- Immune evasion: A general term for strategies used by pathogens to evade the immune response of the host.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antigenic escape
- Wikipedia's article - Antigenic escape
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