[Genomic and antigenic analysis of strains of influenza A virus (H1N1) isolated in 1982-1983: approaches to the choice of the optimal vaccine strain].

Features of the genome and antigenic specificity of hemagglutinin of some influenza A (H1N1) virus strains circulating in the epidemic period of 1982-1983 were studied comparatively. Analysis of the genome of the isolates under study in comparison with that of the reference A/England/333/80 strain and with each other has established changes not only in the genes coding for hemagglutinin and neuraminidase but also most of the genes coding for unglycolysed proteins. The antigenic specificity of hemagglutinin of the isolates under study examined with rat antisera and monoclonal antibodies was found to be quite dissimilar. Hemagglutinin of the A/Dunedin/27/83 strain induced antibodies capable of reacting predominantly with the homologous strain whereas antibodies to hemagglutinin of the A/Leningrad/16/16/82 and A/Chile/1/83 strains had a wide spectrum of antigenic specificity and neutralized well the hemagglutinin of different variants of influenza virus of H1N1 serotype circulating at that time. Among the 1982-1983 isolates studied, the A/Leningrad/16/16/82 strain was selected which, by its hemagglutinin properties, is optimal for preparation of inactivated vaccine, as was confirmed by the study of an experimental batch of such vaccine in volunteers.