Antigenic variation is the process by which a pathogen alters its surface proteins to evade a host's immune response. This mechanism enables pathogens to persist in the host and cause chronic or recurrent infections.
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Antigenic variation is a key virulence factor in many bacterial and viral pathogens, allowing them to escape immune detection.
Pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trypanosoma brucei utilize antigenic variation to avoid being targeted by antibodies.
Antigenic variation can involve changes in protein structure, glycosylation patterns, or expression of different genes encoding surface antigens.
This mechanism complicates vaccine development because it makes it difficult to target a stable antigen.
In addition to bacteria and viruses, some eukaryotic pathogens like Plasmodium species (malaria parasites) also exhibit antigenic variation.
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Related terms
Virulence Factor: A molecule produced by pathogens that contributes to the pathogenicity of the organism.