Antigenic Drift and Shift (also known as Antigen Drift and Shift, Antigenic Shift and Drift): Changes in the ANTIGEN population by slow and minor (antigenic drift) or sudden and major mutations (antigenic shift). Accumulation of minor mutations in antigenic drift over time may require development of new vaccine (e.g.,

NIH MeSH · D000088603Phenomena and Processes

Antigenic Drift and Shift

Also known asAntigen Drift and Shift · Antigenic Shift and Drift · Antigen Shift and Drift · Antigenic Drift · Drift, Antigenic · Antigen Drift · Drift, Antigen · Antigenic Shift · Shift, Antigenic · Antigen Shift · Shift, Antigen · Antigenic Escape

Definition

Changes in the ANTIGEN population by slow and minor (antigenic drift) or sudden and major mutations (antigenic shift). Accumulation of minor mutations in antigenic drift over time may require development of new vaccine (e.g., seasonal FLU VACCINES). Antigenic shift on the other hand is less common but may result in emergence of a new subtype or species and sometimes pandemics (e.g., H1N1 pandemics in 2009 and 2018 and COVID-19) due to lack of HERD IMMUNITY to the newly emerged novel pathogen.

MeSH classification

  • G05.045.300.500
  • G05.330.320.500
  • G05.365.073.500
  • G12.500.249.500
  • G16.075.300.500

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Common questions about Antigenic Drift and Shift

What does Antigenic Drift and Shift mean in medicine?
Changes in the ANTIGEN population by slow and minor (antigenic drift) or sudden and major mutations (antigenic shift). Accumulation of minor mutations in antigenic drift over time may require development of new vaccine (e.g., seasonal FLU VACCINES). Antigenic shift on the other hand is less common but may result in emergence of a new subtype or species and sometimes pandemics (e.g., H1N1 pandemics in 2009 and 2018 and COVID-19) due to lack of HERD IMMUNITY to the newly emerged novel pathogen. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Antigenic Drift and Shift known by any other names?
Yes. Antigenic Drift and Shift is also referred to as Antigen Drift and Shift, Antigenic Shift and Drift, Antigen Shift and Drift, Antigenic Drift in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Antigenic Drift and Shift sit in the medical classification?
Antigenic Drift and Shift falls under the broader medical category "Phenomena and Processes" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: G05.045.300.500, G05.330.320.500, G05.365.073.500). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Antigenic Drift and Shift?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D000088603) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗