A lack of antibody diversity may make the elderly more susceptible to the flu

(Cell Press) The influenza vaccine may be less effective in the elderly because their B cells are less capable of producing antibodies that can adapt to protect against new viral strains, researchers report Feb. 19 in the journal Cell Host& Microbe. With age, B cells and the antibodies they secrete acquire fewer mutations that would provide flexible protection against the ever-changing flu virus.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news