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Reinfection Mechanisms of Various Viruses and Their Societal Implications
  • Ryusuke Kimura 1, 2, †,   
  • Yuriko Hayashi 3, †,   
  • Yuka Sato-Fujimoto 4,   
  • Kei Miyakawa 5,   
  • Kazuya Shirato 6,   
  • Koo Nagasawa 7,   
  • Fuminori Mizukoshi 6,   
  • Takeshi Tsugawa 8,   
  • Akihide Ryo 4,   
  • Hirokazu Kimura 2, 3, *

Received: 27 Dec 2024 | Revised: 22 Jan 2025 | Accepted: 24 Feb 2025 | Published: 26 Feb 2025

Abstract

Viral infections involve numerous pathogens, some of which allow reinfection while others, such as measles virus, provide lifelong immunity. The differences in reinfection mechanisms can be attributed to variations in viral antigenicity and host immune responses. Measles virus exhibits highly conserved hemagglutinin (HA) proteins, where neutralizing antibody-binding regions overlap with host receptor-binding sites, resulting in effective immune protection against reinfection. In contrast, influenza viruses undergo rapid antigenic evolution driven by immune selection pressures, leading to immune escape variants that facilitate annual reinfections. SARS-CoV-2, similarly, shows frequent mutations in its spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD), contributing to reinfection despite prior immunity from vaccination or infection. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human respirovirus type 3 (HRV3) are monoserotype viruses capable of lifelong reinfections. Structural analyses indicate that their conformational epitopes do not align with neutralizing antibody-binding sites, undermining the effectiveness of immune responses. To better understand these mechanisms highlights the interplay between viral evolution and host defenses, providing essential insights for developing targeted vaccines and therapeutic strategies to combat respiratory virus reinfections. Moreover, understanding of the reinfection mechanisms regarding various virus infections may significantly influence public health policies, emphasizing the need for effective vaccination strategies, risk communication, and consideration of cultural factors to address challenges in vaccine adoption, health behaviors, and societal stigma.

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DOI
10.53941/dbgs.2025.100004
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Volume 1, Issue 1
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Kimura, R.; Hayashi, Y.; Sato-Fujimoto, Y.; Miyakawa, K.; Shirato, K.; Nagasawa, K.; Mizukoshi, F.; Tsugawa, T.; Ryo, A.; Kimura, H. Reinfection Mechanisms of Various Viruses and Their Societal Implications. Disease Biology, Genetics, and Socioecology 2025, 1 (1), 4. https://doi.org/10.53941/dbgs.2025.100004.
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