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Antigenic Variation MeSH Descriptor Data 2024


MeSH Heading
Antigenic Variation
Tree Number(s)
G05.365.073
G12.500.249
Unique ID
D000940
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D000940
Annotation
microbes only; ANTIBODY DIVERSITY is also available
Scope Note
Change in the surface ANTIGEN of a microorganism. There are two different types. One is a phenomenon, especially associated with INFLUENZA VIRUSES, where they undergo spontaneous variation both as slow antigenic drift and sudden emergence of new strains (antigenic shift). The second type is when certain PARASITES, especially trypanosomes, PLASMODIUM, and BORRELIA, survive the immune response of the host by changing the surface coat (antigen switching). (From Herbert et al., The Dictionary of Immunology, 4th ed)
Entry Term(s)
Antigen Switching
Antigen Variation
Antigenic Diversity
Antigenic Switching
Antigenic Variability
Switching, Antigenic
Variation, Antigenic
Previous Indexing
Antigenic Determinants (1975-1987)
Genetics, Microbial (1973-1987)
Variation (Genetics) (1966-1987)
Public MeSH Note
1988
History Note
1988
Date Established
1988/01/01
Date of Entry
1987/05/11
Revision Date
2008/07/08
Antigenic Variation Preferred
Antigenic Diversity Related
Antigen Switching Narrower
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