Age-specific differences in the dynamics of protective immunity to influenza

Sylvia Ranjeva (), Rahul Subramanian, Vicky J. Fang, Gabriel M. Leung, Dennis K. M. Ip, Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera, J. S. Malik Peiris, Benjamin J. Cowling and Sarah Cobey
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Sylvia Ranjeva: University of Chicago
Rahul Subramanian: University of Chicago
Vicky J. Fang: The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Manson Building
Gabriel M. Leung: The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Manson Building
Dennis K. M. Ip: The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Manson Building
Ranawaka A. P. M. Perera: The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Manson Building
J. S. Malik Peiris: The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Manson Building
Benjamin J. Cowling: The University of Hong Kong, Patrick Manson Building
Sarah Cobey: University of Chicago

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Influenza A viruses evolve rapidly to escape host immunity, causing reinfection. The form and duration of protection after each influenza virus infection are poorly understood. We quantify the dynamics of protective immunity by fitting individual-level mechanistic models to longitudinal serology from children and adults. We find that most protection in children but not adults correlates with antibody titers to the hemagglutinin surface protein. Protection against circulating strains wanes to half of peak levels 3.5–7 years after infection in both age groups, and wanes faster against influenza A(H3N2) than A(H1N1)pdm09. Protection against H3N2 lasts longer in adults than in children. Our results suggest that influenza antibody responses shift focus with age from the mutable hemagglutinin head to other epitopes, consistent with the theory of original antigenic sin, and might affect protection. Imprinting, or primary infection with a subtype, has modest to no effect on the risk of non-medically attended infections in adults.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09652-6

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