| Terminology . | Definition . |
|---|---|
| OAS | Coined by Thomas Francis to describe hierarchical Ab response observed after sequential exposure to antigenically related influenza virus strains. Often associated with negative outcomes because of connotation with sin, although it is not clear that this was Francis’ intent. |
| Antigenic imprinting | Used to describe the observation that one’s first exposure to influenza virus leaves an immunological “imprint” that shapes the outcome of subsequent exposures. Tends to encompass all factors that affect the adaptive immune response (i.e., not only B cell/Ab response). Agnostic as to outcome (positive or negative) of the imprinting. |
| Back-boosting | Refers specifically to the ability of secondary exposures to influenza virus to boost titers of Abs against previously encountered strains. A mechanistic explanation to explain hierarchical Ab responses against influenza virus. |
| Negative interference | Describes the hypothesis that Abs specific to the original/primary strain of influenza virus “interfere” with the induction of equal Ab responses against subsequently encountered strains. |
| Antigenic seniority | An agnostic variation on OAS that describes the hierarchical nature of the Ab response against influenza virus, without connotation of negative outcomes often associated with sin. |
| Terminology . | Definition . |
|---|---|
| OAS | Coined by Thomas Francis to describe hierarchical Ab response observed after sequential exposure to antigenically related influenza virus strains. Often associated with negative outcomes because of connotation with sin, although it is not clear that this was Francis’ intent. |
| Antigenic imprinting | Used to describe the observation that one’s first exposure to influenza virus leaves an immunological “imprint” that shapes the outcome of subsequent exposures. Tends to encompass all factors that affect the adaptive immune response (i.e., not only B cell/Ab response). Agnostic as to outcome (positive or negative) of the imprinting. |
| Back-boosting | Refers specifically to the ability of secondary exposures to influenza virus to boost titers of Abs against previously encountered strains. A mechanistic explanation to explain hierarchical Ab responses against influenza virus. |
| Negative interference | Describes the hypothesis that Abs specific to the original/primary strain of influenza virus “interfere” with the induction of equal Ab responses against subsequently encountered strains. |
| Antigenic seniority | An agnostic variation on OAS that describes the hierarchical nature of the Ab response against influenza virus, without connotation of negative outcomes often associated with sin. |