Unraveling the mechanism behind the probable extinction of the B/Yamagata lineage of influenza B viruses
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption to the global circulation of influenza viruses. Among the most notable outcomes was the probable extinction of the B/Yamagata lineage of influenza B viruses, which has been rarely detected since March 2020. However, the underlying mechanism of the probable extinction is unknown. Here, we combine molecular, antigenic, and epidemiological data to explore the drivers of this phenomenon. Our analysis reveals that the probable extinction of B/Yamagata was driven by reduced transmission due to nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and a depleted susceptible population caused by conserved antigenicity and the 2017/2018 outbreak. Specifically, B/Yamagata exhibited slower antigenic evolution and alternating antigenic dominance compared to the co-circulating B/Victoria lineage, which was consistent with its weaker positive selection pressure. Simulation analysis suggests that B/Yamagata would maintain circulation if it underwent significant antigenic drift around the COVID-19 pandemic or if NPIs were not implemented. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the probable extinction of B/Yamagata and offer broader insights for controlling similar respiratory viruses.
Authors
- Jialu Zheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4108-1313)
- Zicheng Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6215-6850)
- Xuejie Du
- Yousong Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5482-9506)
- Xiangjun Du (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8184-8430)
- Jiaxiao Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8397-3729)
- Wenping Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3286-7704)
- Zekai Qiu
- Pei‐Wen Cheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5997-9247)
- Jinfeng Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6140-8040)
- Jian Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0595-5263)
- Yilin Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0040-3881)
- Xue Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3411-7103)
- Chi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8061-7793)
- Qing Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4725-0424)
- Jingru Feng
- Dayan Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4990-1016)
- Yuelong Shu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9279-0916)
- Taijiao Jiang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0841-3888)
- Ke Zhai
- Wenjie Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0092-7000)
Institutions
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Hunan University (CN)
- Shenzhen University (CN)
- Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
- Fudan University (CN)
- Suzhou Polytechnic Institute of Agriculture (CN)
- Shantou University (CN)
- Guangzhou Experimental Station (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine (CN)
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention (CN)
- Shenzhen University Health Science Center (CN)
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Guangzhou Medical University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-11-25
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-65396-6
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.71
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Sun Yat-sen University
- National Key Research and Development Program of China