Preparation and characterization of egg yolk immunoglobulin Y specific to influenza B virus

In February 2012, an outbreak of respiratory illness occurred on the cruise ship MSC Armonia in Brazil. A 31-year-old female crew member was hospitalized with respiratory failure and subsequently died. To study the etiology of the respiratory illness, tissue taken at necropsy from the deceased woman and respiratory specimens from thirteen passengers and crew members with respiratory symptoms were analyzed. Influenza real-time RT-PCR assays were performed, and the full-length hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza-positive samples was sequenced. Influenza B virus was detected in samples from seven of the individuals, suggesting that it was the cause of this respiratory illness outbreak. The sequence analysis of the HA gene indicated that the virus was closely related to the B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus, Victoria lineage, a virus contained in the 2011-12 influenza vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere. Since the recommended composition of the influenza vaccine for use during the 2013 season changed, an intensive surveillance of viruses circulating worldwide is crucial. Molecular analysis is an important tool to characterize the pathogen responsible for an outbreak such as this. In addition, laboratory disease surveillance contributes to the control measures for vaccine-preventable influenza.

Download Full-text

Detection and Characterization of New Influenza B Virus Variants in 2002

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.43.5.2345-2349.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 2345-2349 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

X. S. Chi ◽

A. Hu ◽

T. V. Bolar ◽

W. Al-Rimawi ◽

P. Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

B Virus

Download Full-text

Molecular characterization of a nosocomial outbreak of influenza B virus in an acute care hospital setting

Journal of Hospital Infection ◽

10.1016/j.jhin.2018.06.004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. 30-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. Sansone ◽

Å. Wiman ◽

M.L. Karlberg ◽

M. Brytting ◽

L. Bohlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Acute Care ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Acute Care Hospital ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Nosocomial Outbreak ◽

B Virus

Download Full-text

Broadly Cross-Reactive, Nonneutralizing Antibodies against Influenza B Virus Hemagglutinin Demonstrate Effector Function-Dependent Protection against Lethal Viral Challenge in Mice

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01696-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Guha Asthagiri Arunkumar ◽

Andriani Ioannou ◽

Teddy John Wohlbold ◽

Philip Meade ◽

Sadaf Aslam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Mechanism Of Action ◽

Influenza A ◽

Effector Function ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

B Virus ◽

Protective Antibodies

ABSTRACT Protection from influenza virus infection is canonically associated with antibodies that neutralize the virus by blocking the interaction between the viral hemagglutinin and host cell receptors. However, protection can also be conferred by other mechanisms, including antibody-mediated effector functions. Here, we report the characterization of 22 broadly cross-reactive, nonneutralizing antibodies specific for influenza B virus hemagglutinin. The majority of these antibodies recognized influenza B viruses isolated over the period of 73 years and bind the conserved stalk domain of the hemagglutinin. A proportion of the characterized antibodies protected mice from both morbidity and mortality after challenge with a lethal dose of influenza B virus. Activity in an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity reporter assay correlated strongly with protection, suggesting that Fc-dependent effector function determines protective efficacy. The information regarding mechanism of action and epitope location stemming from our characterization of these antibodies will inform the design of urgently needed vaccines that could induce broad protection against influenza B viruses. IMPORTANCE While broadly protective antibodies against the influenza A virus hemagglutinin have been well studied, very limited information is available for antibodies that broadly recognize influenza B viruses. Similarly, the development of a universal or broadly protective influenza B virus vaccine lags behind the development of such a vaccine for influenza A virus. More information about epitope location and mechanism of action of broadly protective influenza B virus antibodies is required to inform vaccine development. In addition, protective antibodies could be a useful tool to treat or prevent influenza B virus infection in pediatric cohorts or in a therapeutic setting in immunocompromised individuals in conjugation with existing treatment avenues.

Download Full-text