Question

Compare and contrast antigenic drift versus antigenic shift. ( Define them and explain how they are similar and how they are different).

Answer 1

Antigenic drift is a natural process whereby mutation occurs during replication in the genes encoding antigens. It typically occur in the viruses and enable the pathogens to evade the immune system, triggering an infection once more

Antigenic Shift is an abrupt, major change of an antigen molecule so that the human immune system can no longer recognize it.

Difference between Antigenic Drift and Antigenic Shift

Antigenic Drift Antigenic Shif

1.There is small mutation of RNA 1.There is large change of RNA

2. The change is gradual 2. The change is abrupt and drastic.

3. It results from point mutation in the gene    3. Result from re-assortment between    different subtypes

4.Formation of new subtype 4. formation of new strain of virus

5. one virus is involved     5. One or More viruses are involved

6.  the subtype has no similarity with the previous virus 6. Similar to older strains

7. Frequent occurance 7. occur once in a time

8. leads to epidemics 8. leads to pandemics