Influenza A(H3N2) Subclade K (J.2.4.1): Molecular Characterization, Antigenic Divergence, and Global Spread During the 2025/26 Season
Overall, the available genetic, antigenic, and epidemiological evidence indicates that subclade K represents a recently diversified A(H3N2) lineage associated with rapid international spread during the 2025/26 season, highlighting the importance of integrated HA/NA genomic surveillance and timely antigenic characterization to support evidence-based vaccine strain selection.
Authors
- Fabio Scarpa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3501-714X)
- Giancarlo Ceccarelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5921-3180)
- Nicola Petrosillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2585-7567)
- Francesco Branda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9485-3877)
- Marta Giovanetti
- Massimo Ciccozzi
Institutions
- Climate Central (US)
- Università Campus Bio-Medico (IT)
- University of Sassari (IT)
- Policlinico Umberto I (IT)
- Campus Bio Medico University Hospital (IT)
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (BR)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Infectious Disease Reports
- Published
- 2026-04-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/idr18020037
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 19.73