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?Viruses and serotypes

In order for the virus to enter a cell, it binds its antigens (virus proteins) to receptor proteins on the surface of a cell (in a lock and key mechanism) which aids in its entry. In order to prevent the virus from entering the cell, the body produces antibodies which bind to the antigens (occupying the key’s ridges), blocking it from binding to the cell receptor.

Hence viruses and our immune system are in a sort of arms race, and some viruses evolve to escape the previous immune response and become new ‘serotypes’ – where the virus has distinct surface proteins binding to only one particular antibody (one lock and key combination) – to get around this defence mechanism. 

For example, human rhinoviruses (which causes common cold) are divided into three groups, totalling up to 154 serotypes currently.

  1. Rhinovirus A: Consists of HRV-A 1,2, 7-13, 15-16, 18-25, 28-34, 36, 38-41, 43-47, 49-51, 53-68, 71, 73-78,80-82, 85, 88-90, 94-96, 100-103
  2. Rhinovirus B: Consists of HRV-B 3-6, 14, 17, 26, 27, 35, 37, 42, 48, 52, 69, 70, 72, 79, 83, 84, 86, 91-93, 97, 99
  3. Rhinovirus C has its own category consisting of HRV-C 1-51.