Antigenic and genomic relation between human influenza viruses that circulated in Argentina in the period 1995-1999 and the corresponding vaccine components.

Background: The analysis of epidemic influenza virus has been focused on antigenic and genomic characterization of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein in order to detect new variants for the recommendation of the vaccine strains in each season. Since October 1998, WHO organized a second meeting to evaluate the vaccine formula for the southern hemisphere.

Objectives: (a) Present the antigenic and genomic characterization of influenza strains obtained from the Argentina surveillance network, (b) compare between strains collected in Argentina and other countries with the vaccine formula strains used in each season.