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The flavivirus family belongs to antigenically closely related viruses that have been a public health concern across the globe. It is well observed that infection by specific flavivirus serotypes can confer lifelong immunity. However, there is an alarming situation of cross-reactivity between antibodies of other flaviviruses or other serotypes without cross-protection. Cross-reaction without cross-neutralising from heterologous flavivirus infection leads to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of disease severity. Antibody-dependent enhancement occurs when sub-neutralising or non-neutralising antibodies generated during a primary flavivirus infection or after vaccination facilitate enhanced viral entry and replication in the host cells. The underlying mechanisms of ADE involve interactions between the antigen-antibody complexes towards the Fc receptors and the complement system. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on ADE in flavivirus pathogenesis, emphasising the importance of understanding its implications for immune responses, therapeutics and vaccine development.
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