2019–2020 herd immunity to seasonal influenza viruses prior to epidemic season and rate of severe disease cases

The aim was to analyze heard immunity against influenza viruses as well as severe course of influenza infection prior to the 2019–2020 epidemic season. Methods. Blood sera samples were collected prior to and after conducting population-wide influenza vaccination campaign at the sanitary and epidemiological centers in different regions of the Russian Federation as well as at the Siberian Federal District, respectively. Sera samples were tested by using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay with vaccine strains A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2), B/Colorado/06/2017 (Victoria lineage). Baseline clinical and autopsy materials in case of influenza infection in vaccinated patients or severe and fatal influenza cases were collected to be tested by RT-PCR at the sanitary and epidemiological centers, Rospotrebnadzor. All influenza-virus positive samples were further sent to the SRC VB “Vector”. Results. A total of 7,896 and 600 blood serum samples were collected from subjects at Siberian Federal District prior to and after the populationwide influenza vaccination campaign, respectively. Prior to the epidemic season, the proportion of individuals seropositive for the influenza A virus subtypes A/(H1N1)pdm09 and A/H3N2 exceeded 50% in most of the regions, whereas frequency of those seropositive for the influenza B virus was profoundly lower ranging from 12 to 46% in the Northwestern Federal District and Volga Federal District, respectively. After influenza vaccination, the percentage of seropositive subjects in the Siberian Federal District increased as follows: for influenza subtype A/(H1N1)pdm09 — from 66 up to 79%, influenza subtype A/H3N2 — from 68 up to 78%, and for influenza B/Victoria — from 32 up to 47%. In 2019–2020, influenza B virus more frequently caused severe infection that agrees with the herd immunity data prior to the epidemic season. However, the vast majority of the influenza cases with fatal outcome was associated with influenza virus A A/H1N1pdm09 subtype. Conclusion. Quality of influenza vaccine, especially that one intended to vaccinate risk group subjects remains a crucial issue for contemporary scientific community. The study was conducted within the framework of the State Assignments no. 1/16 and 2/18.

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Hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers as a correlate of protection against influenza disease in the 2018/2019 epidemic season in Poland

Acta Biochimica Polonica ◽

10.18388/abp.2020_5088 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ewelina Hallmann-Szelińska ◽

Karol Szymański ◽

Katarzyna Łuniewska ◽

Katarzyna Kondratiuk ◽

Lidia Bernadeta Brydak

Keyword(s):

Hemagglutination Inhibition ◽

Influenza A ◽

Age Groups ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Hemagglutination Inhibition Test ◽

Inhibition Antibody

The aim of this study was to determine the level of antibodies against hemagglutinin of influenza viruses in the sera of people in the seven age groups in the epidemic season 2018/2019 in Poland. The level of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies was determined by hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI). 1050 clinical samples from all over the country were tested. The level of antibodies against influenza viruses was highest in the 10–14 age group for A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) and B/Phuket/3073/2013 Yamagata lineage antigens. These results confirm the circulation of four antigenically different influenza virus strains, two subtypes of influenza A virus – A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09 and A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) and two lineages of influenza B virus – B/Colorado/06/2017 – Victoria lineage and B/Phuket/3073/2013 Yamagata lineage.

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Population immunity for influenza in population of Sverdlovsk Region in epidemic season of 2018–2019

Medical alphabet ◽

10.33667/2078-5631-2020-18-26-28 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 26-28

Author(s):

I. A. Malchikov ◽

A. V. Slobodenyuk ◽

I. V. Vyalykh ◽

A. Yu. Markaran ◽

Yu. V. Grigorieva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Adult Population ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

H3n2 Virus ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

Epidemic Period

Donor blood serum was tested to detect antibodies against circulating influenza viruses. The titer of specific antibodies was determined in the hemagglutination inhibition test (RTGA) against influenza viruses A/California/07/09(H1N1) pdm09, A/HongKong/4801/14(H3N2) and B/Brisben/46/15. In the pre-epidemic period 2018–2019, the immune layer of people with conditionally protective titers of antiviral antibodies was detected in terms of the lowest to A(H3N2) virus (50.0 %), the highest to influenza B (85.4 %). In the post-epidemic season of 2018–2019, the immune layer to influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 virus did not change significantly, which could indicate the preservation of the activity of this virus in the adult population; an increase in the immune layer of individuals with protective titers of antibodies to influenza A(H3N2) – 67.4 % and a decrease in influenza B virus – 49.2 %. A comparison of the results of laboratory data carried out in the pre- and post-epidemic seasons revealed significant differences in the number of people with average antibody titers against influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses (p < 0.05).

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PECULIARITIES OF THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMICS DURING 2015–2016, 2016–2017 AND 2017–2018 SEASONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

ЗДОРОВЬЕ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ И СРЕДА ОБИТАНИЯ - ЗНиСО / PUBLIC HEALTH AND LIFE ENVIRONMENT ◽

10.35627/2219-5238/2019-314-5-28-33 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 28-33

Author(s):

M.E. Ignat’eva ◽

I.Yu. Samoilova ◽

L.V. Budatsyrenova ◽

T.V. Korita ◽

O.E. Trotsenko

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

H3n2 Virus ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

B Virus ◽

Respiratory Viral Infections ◽

The Republic

We analyzed the epidemiological situations on influenza and acute respiratory viral infections during the 2015–2016, 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 epidemic seasons in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 epidemic seasons differed from the previous ones by a rather high intensity of the epidemic process, moderate duration of the epidemic awareness with a two-wave pattern of the course, high morbidity of the population at the epidemic peak and the absence of the disease’s severe forms in those vaccinated against influenza. During the 2015–2016 epidemic season, the influenza A (H1N1) virus was the dominant pathogen in Yakutia. During the 2016–2017 epidemic season, the first morbidity awareness was caused by the influenza A (H3N2) virus, the second morbidity awareness was caused by the influenza B virus. In contrast to previous two seasons the 2017–2018 epidemic season is characterized by lower intensity, a significant morbidity decrease of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in different age groups of the population and a low level of influenza viruses' circulation. Influenza A (H3N2) virus dominated and joined influenza B virus circulation was registered subsequently during the 2017–2018 epidemic season.

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Effectiveness of vaccination against influenza in HIV-infected pediatric patients in the 2016-2017 epidemic season

Przeglad Epidemiologiczny ◽

10.32394/pe.74.58 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 667-675

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Influenza A ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Influenza Virus Infection ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Virus Rna ◽

Antibody Levels

BACKGROUND. Pediatric patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk of developing severe influenza. Vaccination against influenza in HIV (+) children in Poland is recommended and free of charge. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in this group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study group consisted of 25 HIV-infected children, patients of the Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases in Wrocław, vaccinated against influenza from September to December 2016. The incidence of influenza and influenza-like diseases was monitored from December 1, 2016 to April 15, 2017. IgG / IgM against influenza A and B by ELISA and against AH1N1 by HI method before vaccination and 4-6 weeks after vaccination were determined. Nasopharyngeal swabs of influenza RNA for PCR testing were collected in each patient during each hospitalization in the epidemic season. RESULTS. In the 2016/2017 epidemic season, none of the patients developed symptomatic influenza or any other flu-like infection with fever. Influenza A virus RNA was detected in nasopharyngeal swabs in 8 patients, none of them presented any clinical symptoms of infection. Positive pre-vaccination IgG levels against influenza A and B were detected in 36% (9/25) and 68% (17/25) of patients, respectively. After vaccination, positive concentrations were found in 56% (14/25) and 80% (20/25) of patients, respectively. Positive concentration of IgM antibodies was achieved by 60% (15/25) of the respondents - for influenza A and 52% (13/25) - for influenza B. In 11 patients (45.8%) before vaccination, protective titres of antibodies against H1 haemagglutinin were obtained, after the vaccination the proportion of patients with a protective titer was 52.4%. CONCLUSIONS. Influenza vaccination in HIV-infected children is effective in preventing symptomatic influenza virus infection but does not prevent transmission of infection in the population. Annual influenza vaccination and seasonal natural infections with influenza viruses result in the persistence of measurable antibody levels until the next epidemic season.

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Influenza Viral Infections Surveillance and Clinical Presentations in Hospitalized Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573398x17666210319094524 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Montaha Al-Iede ◽

Lena Sarhan ◽

Leen Abushanab ◽

Tamara Ayasrah ◽

Rafaa Al Maani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Infections ◽

Respiratory Viruses ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

University Hospital ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Hospitalized Children ◽

Acute Respiratory Infections ◽

Clinical Presentations

Background: Influenza virus and other respiratory viruses have been identified as an essential cause of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children worldwide. However, there are few data on its frequency and clinical presentation in Jordan. Objectives: We aimed to identify the viral etiology of acute respiratory infections and the various clinical presentations in hospitalized children, especially those with influenza viruses compared to other respiratory viruses. Methods: A retrospective study that was conducted at the Jordan university hospital. All the positive nasopharyngeal aspirates that were collected from hospitalized children aged 0-19 years from January 2017 to January 2019 were reviewed. Results: A total of 338 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) with positive viral serology results were reviewed. Among the patients younger than four years, the RSV virus was the most frequently detected. However, the Influenza B virus was the most commonly seen in patients older than 5 years, H1N1 was more frequent in autumn (29.5%), and RSV was the most frequent virus in winter. Bronchopneumonia was the most frequent diagnosis among all hospitalized patients, followed by bronchiolitis. Out of 338 patients, 50.3 % had tachypnea, 70.7% of patients were admitted to the pediatric floor, while 18.6% presented with a severe illness and required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Infants under the age of one were more likely to have higher co-infection rates with other viruses compared to children over five years that had influenza. Conclusion: Presentations of influenza and other respiratory viruses vary between different age groups, such as sepsis in children younger than one year.

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Mortality due to respiratory diseases in the elderly after influenza vaccination campaigns in the Federal District, Brazil, 1996-2009

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37132013000200011 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 198-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Francisca Magalhães Scoralick ◽

Luciana Paganini Piazzolla ◽

Liana Laura Pires ◽

Cleudsom Neri ◽

Wladimir Kummer de Paula

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Age Groups ◽

Federal District ◽

The Elderly ◽

Analysis Data ◽

Proportional Mortality

OBJECTIVE: To compare mortality rates due to respiratory diseases among elderly individuals residing in the Federal District of Brasília, Brazil, prior to and after the implementation of a national influenza vaccination campaign. METHODS: This was an ecological time series analysis. Data regarding the population of individuals who were over 60 years of age between 1996 and 2009 were obtained from official databases. The variables of interest were the crude mortality rate (CMR), the mortality rate due to the respiratory disease (MRRD), and the proportional mortality ratio (PMR) for respiratory diseases. We performed a qualitative analysis of the data for the period prior to and after the implementation of the vaccination campaign (1996-1999 and 2000-2009, respectively). RESULTS: The CMR increased with advancing age. Over the course of the study period, we observed reductions in the CMR in all of the age brackets studied, particularly among those aged 80 years or older. Reductions in the MRRD were also found in all of the age groups, especially in those aged 80 years or older. In addition, there was a decrease in the PMR for respiratory diseases in all age groups throughout the study period. The most pronounced decrease in the PMR for respiratory diseases in the ≥ 70 year age bracket occurred in 2000 (immediately following the implementation of the national vaccination campaign); in 2001, that rate increased in all age groups, despite the greater adherence to the vaccination campaign in comparison with that recorded for 2000. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccination appears to have a positive impact on the prevention of mortality due to respiratory diseases, particularly in the population aged 70 or over.

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Clinical Investigations. Comparison of Directigen Flu A+B with Real Time PCR in the Diagnosis of Influenza / Сравнение Иммунохроматографического Метода (Directigen Flu A+B) И Теста RT-PCR При Инфекциях Гриппа

Folia Medica ◽

10.1515/folmed-2015-0027 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 104-110 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Golubinka Bosevska ◽

Nikola Panovski ◽

Elizabeta Janceska ◽

Vladimir Mikik ◽

Irena Kondova Topuzovska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Influenza A ◽

Age Groups ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

B Virus ◽

Nose And Throat

AbstractEarly diagnosis and treatment of patients with influenza is the reason why physicians need rapid high-sensitivity influenza diagnostic tests that require no complex lab equipment and can be performed and interpreted within 15 min. The Aim of this study was to compare the rapid Directigen Flu A+B test with real time PCR for detection of influenza viruses in the Republic of Macedonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred-eight respiratory samples (combined nose and throat swabs) were routinely collected for detection of influenza virus during influenza seasons. Forty-one patients were pediatric cases and 59 were adult. Their mean age was 23 years. The patients were allocated into 6 age groups: 0 - 4 yrs, 5 - 9 yrs, 10 - 14 yrs, 15 - 19 yrs, 20-64 yrs and > 65 yrs. Each sample was tested with Directigen Flu A+B and CDC real time PCR kit for detection and typisation/subtypisation of influenza according to the lab diagnostic protocol. RESULTS: Directigen Flu A+B identified influenza A virus in 20 (18.5%) samples and influenza B virus in two 2 (1.9%) samples. The high specificity (100%) and PPV of Directigen Flu A+B we found in our study shows that the positive results do not need to be confirmed. The overall sensitivity of Directigen Flu A+B is 35.1% for influenza A virus and 33.0% for influenza B virus. The sensitivity for influenza A is higher among children hospitalized (45.0%) and outpatients (40.0%) versus adults. CONCLUSION: Directigen Flu A+B has relatively low sensitivity for detection of influenza viruses in combined nose and throat swabs. Negative results must be confirmed.

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Haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies against influenza A and influenza B in maternal and neonatal sera

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s0022172400053353 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 13-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

N. Masurel ◽

J. I. de Bruijne ◽

H. A. Beuningh ◽

H. J. A. Schouten

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Maternal Age ◽

Influenza A ◽

Haemagglutination Inhibition ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

B Virus ◽

Duration Of Pregnancy ◽

Pregnancy And Birth

SUMMARYHaemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against the influenza viruses A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) and B/Nederland/77/66 were determined in 420 paired sera from mothers and newborns (umbilical cord sera), sampled in 1970–1.A higher concentration of antibodies against influenza A virus was found more frequently in neonatal than in maternal sera. By contrast, low titres against influenza B virus were more frequently observed in neonatal than in maternal sera. Maternal age, duration of pregnancy, and birth-weight did not affect the results of the tests.It is suggested that the titre of the newborn against an epidemic influenza virus can be predicted from that of the mother. Furthermore, the maternal titre may be an indication of the susceptibility of the newborn infant to influenza infections.

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Influenza A and B viruses in the population of Vojvodina, Serbia

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs1401043r ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 43-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. Radovanov ◽

V. Milosevic ◽

I. Hrnjakovic ◽

V. Petrovic ◽

M. Ristic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽

Influenza B ◽

Influenza A Viruses ◽

B Virus ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Seasonal Epidemic

At present, two influenza A viruses, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2, along with influenza B virus co-circulate in the human population, causing endemic and seasonal epidemic acute febrile respiratory infections, sometimes with life-threatening complications. Detection of influenza viruses in nasopharyngeal swab samples was done by real-time RT-PCR. There were 60.2% (53/88) positive samples in 2010/11, 63.4% (52/82) in 2011/12, and 49.9% (184/369) in 2012/13. Among the positive patients, influenza A viruses were predominant during the first two seasons, while influenza B type was more active during 2012/13. Subtyping of influenza A positive samples revealed the presence of A (H1N1)pdm09 in 2010/11, A (H3N2) in 2011/12, while in 2012/13, both subtypes were detected. The highest seroprevalence against influenza A was in the age-group 30-64, and against influenza B in adults aged 30-64 and >65.

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Triazavirin might be the new hope to fight Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Česká a slovenská farmacie ◽

10.5817/csf2021-1-18 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 18-25

Author(s):

Malík Ivan ◽

Čižmárik Jozef ◽

Kováč Gustáv ◽

Pecháčová Mária ◽

Hudecová Lucia

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Swine Flu ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Antiviral Compound ◽

Virus Influenza

Since the beginning of the outbreak, a large number of clinical trials have been registered worldwide, and thousands of drugs have been investigated to face new health emergency of highly contagious COVID-19 caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Drug repurposing, i.e., utilizing an approved drug for a different indication, offers a time- and cost-efficient alternative for making new (relevant) therapies available to physicians and patients. Considering given strategy, many approved and investigational antiviral compounds, alone or in various relevant combinations, used in the past to fight Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-1, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1, or Influenza viruses are being evaluated against the SARS-CoV-2. Triazavirin (TZV), a non-toxic broad--spectrum antiviral compound, is efficient against various strains of the Influenza A virus (Influenza Virus A, Orthomyxoviridae), i.e., swine flu (H1N1, or H3N2), avian influenza (H5N1, H5N2, H9N2, or highly pathogenic H7N3 strain), Influenza B virus (Influenza Virus B, Orthomyxoviridae), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Orthopneumovirus, Pneumoviridae), Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (known as Forest-Spring Encephalitis Virus; Flavivirus, Flaviviridae), West Nile Virus (Flavivirus, Flavaviridae), Rift Valley Fever Virus (Phlebovirus, Bunyaviridae), and Herpes viruses (Simplexviruses, Herpesviridae) as well. In regard to COVID-19, the molecule probably reduced inflammatory reactions, thus limiting the damage to vital organs and reducing the need for therapeutic support, respectively. In addition, in silico computational methods indicated relatively satisfactory binding affinities of the TZV ligand to both structural (E)- and (S)-proteins, non-structural 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3-CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 as well as human angiotensin-I converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). The interactions between TZV and given viral structures or the ACE-2 receptor for SARS-CoV-2 might effectively block both the entry of the pathogen into a host cell and its replication. Promising treatment patterns of COVID-19 positive patients might be also based on a suitable combination of a membrane fusion inhibitor (umifenovir, for example) with viral RNA synthesis and replication inhibitor (TZV).

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