When "B" becomes "A": the emerging threat of influenza B virus

Influenza virus (flu) caused the worst disease mediated devastation in recorded human history in 1918, when global death was estimated to be between 50 and 100 million people [1]. Flu continues to kill more people every year with no apparent decrease in its pathogenicity despite advancement in our understanding of the disease and with the availability of vaccines and antiviral agents. Last year, the death toll of influenza was estimated to be 80 000 in the USA alone, making it the most lethal infectious disease [2]. One apparent change that occurred in the influenza virus is the emergence of influenza B strain as a significant contributor to the annual disease over the years. The origin of influenza B is unclear but was first isolated around 1940 and later separated into two clear lineages by 1983, the Yamagata-like and Victoria-like strains [3]. The scientific and healthcare community has been underplaying this important event and influenza B has been labelled as the "B" team compared to influenza A. Influenza B is believed to be a milder virus compared to some strains of influenza A, such as H3N2, but more potent than the influenza A strains like H1N1 [4]. In fact, multiple studies have suggested increased potency of influenza B virus in causing severe disease and mortality. Influenza B is the most prominent circulating strain of influenza every four to five years. Furthermore, influenza B infections carried higher risks of hospitalisations compared to influenza A infection...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Editorials Source Type: research