The research team, including Dr. Adam Kucharski of the London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK, reached its findings by analyzing blood antibody levels against nine different influenza A H3N2 strains that circulated in
southern China between 1968 and 2009.
In the background of the study, the researchers explain that in
response to flu viruses, the immune system produces antibodies that target proteins present on the surface of the
virus. While these proteins change as the virus evolves, the
antibodies that circulate in the blood remember previously
encountered strains.
"However," the authors note, "the specific factors that shape
the immune response of a single human to a particular strain are
little understood because individual infections and the
development of immunity over a lifetime in that person are
rarely observed directly."
By analyzing the blood samples of Chinese children and adults,
Dr. Kucharski and colleagues were able to identify the specific influenza strains with which an individual had been infected over the 40-year period, as well as the antibody response to each strain.
The researchers created a mathematical model that allowed them to estimate the frequency of flu infection by age between 1968 and 2009, as well as the way in which immunity to different flu strains changes over the course of a lifetime.
Flu strains we encounter in early life 'evoke stronger immune responses'
The team estimated flu transmission is much more frequent among children - they are likely to catch the virus every other year. From the age of 30, however, adults are only likely to contract flu twice a decade.
"For adults, we found that influenza infection is actually much less common than some people think," says senior author Dr. Steven Riley, of the Medical Research Council Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling at Imperial College London in the UK. "In childhood and adolescence, it's much more
common, possibly because we mix more with other people.
The exact frequency of infection will vary depending on
background levels of flu and vaccination."
In addition, the researchers found that the strains of
influenza virus we encounter early in life can activate
stronger immune responses than the strains we come across later in life.
"Our results suggest that 'antigenic seniority,' whereby strains encountered earlier in life gain more 'senior' positions in the immune response, and short-lived cross-reactivity between different strains are important components of the immune response and, therefore, could shape the evolution and emergence of influenza viruses," they explain.
The team says their findings may help increase understanding of how immunity influences the evolution of flu viruses, paving the way for models that could predict how flu viruses will change.
In addition, the researchers say that understanding how
previously contracted flu strains affect immunity could help scientists create more effective flu vaccines.
Dr. Kucharski adds: These findings come as the US is experiencing one of the most
severe flu seasons to date, with 69 flu-related pediatric deaths
reported as of 6th February.
In January, a report from the CDC revealed that the 2014-15
flu vaccine is only 23% effective across all age groups.
The organization says the vaccine has low effectiveness against circulating influenza A H3N2 viruses, which have been the most predominant viruses this season.
As such, the CDC say all people at high risk of flu-related
complications - such as young children and the elderly - should adopt additional flu prevention and treatment measures, though all individuals aged 6 months and older should still receive the vaccine.
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