Molecular epidemiology of influenza B virus among hospitalized pediatric patients in Northern Italy during the 2015-16 season

The cocirculation in several parts of the world of influenza viruses B/Yamagata/16/88 and B/Victoria/2/87, which are genetically and antigenically divergent, has prompted the question of whether immunization with one viral antigen is sufficient for protection against both strains. Twenty-three high-risk infants and young children were immunized with a commercial trivalent influenza vaccine containing the antigens of influenza virus B/Yamagata/16/88. When antibodies against influenza viruses B/Yamagata/16/88 and B/Victoria/2/87 were determined, increases developed uniformly to both in the sera of primed children previously exposed to influenza virus B/Victoria/2/87 by immunization or infection. Antibodies against B/Yamagata/16/88 developed in the sera of unprimed children with titers similar to those of the primed children. However, antibodies to B/ Victoria/2/87 were not detected in the sera of the unprimed children. These data suggest that children with out appropriate immunologic priming may not be protected against an infection with a B/Victoria/2/87 strain after vaccination with a B/Yamagata/16/88 strain. Immunization with more than one influenza B virus strain may be desirable in some high-risk pediatric patients if divergent influenza B viruses circulate.

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Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of influenza B virus in Lebanon during 2016–2018

Infection Genetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.meegid.2019.103969 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 103969 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Malak AlIbrahim ◽

Aia Assaf-Casals ◽

Elie Massaad ◽

Rouba Shaker ◽

Nadia Soudani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

B Virus

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Fatal influenza B virus pneumonia in pediatric patients

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal ◽

10.1097/00006454-199202000-00011 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 117-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

JANE F. TROENDLE ◽

GAIL J. DEMMLER ◽

W. PAUL GLEZEN ◽

MILTON FINEGOLD ◽

MICHAEL J. ROMANO

Keyword(s):

Pediatric Patients ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

B Virus ◽

Virus Pneumonia

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The Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Dynamics of Influenza B Virus in Two Italian Regions during 2010–2015: The Experience of Sicily and Liguria

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms17040549 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 549 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Fabio Tramuto ◽

Andrea Orsi ◽

Carmelo Maida ◽

Claudio Costantino ◽

Cecilia Trucchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Italian Regions ◽

B Virus

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Recurring Influenza B Virus Infections in Seals

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

10.3201/eid1903.120965 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 511-512 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Rogier Bodewes ◽

Danny Morick ◽

Gerrie de Mutsert ◽

Nynke Osinga ◽

Theo Bestebroer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Virus Infections ◽

B Virus

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Mutation E48K in PB1 Polymerase Subunit Improves Stability of a Candidate Live Attenuated Influenza B Virus Vaccine

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070800 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 800

Author(s):

Jongsuk Mo ◽

Stivalis Cardenas-Garcia ◽

Jefferson J. S. Santos ◽

Lucas M. Ferreri ◽

C. Joaquín Cáceres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Candidate ◽

The Elderly ◽

Potential Interaction ◽

Respiratory Pathogen ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epitope Tag ◽

Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽

B Virus ◽

Homologous Challenge

Influenza B virus (IBV) is a major respiratory pathogen of humans, particularly in the elderly and children, and vaccines are the most effective way to control it. In previous work, incorporation of two mutations (E580G, S660A) along with the addition of an HA epitope tag in the PB1 segment of B/Brisbane/60/2008 (B/Bris) resulted in an attenuated strain that was safe and effective as a live attenuated vaccine. A third attempted mutation (K391E) in PB1 was not always stable. Interestingly, viruses that maintained the K391E mutation were associated with the mutation E48K. To explore the contribution of the E48K mutation to stability of the K391E mutation, a vaccine candidate was generated by inserting both mutations, along with attenuating mutations E580G and S660A, in PB1 of B/Bris (B/Bris PB1att 4M). Serial passages of the B/Bris PB1att 4M vaccine candidate in eggs and MDCK indicated high stability. In silico structural analysis revealed a potential interaction between amino acids at positions 48 and 391. In mice, B/Bris PB1att 4M was safe and provided complete protection against homologous challenge. These results confirm the compensatory effect of mutation E48K to stabilize the K391E mutation, resulting in a safer, yet still protective, IBV LAIV vaccine.

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