Influenza Project in Myanmar

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 842-847
Author(s):  
Reiko Saito ◽  
◽  
Yadanar Kyaw ◽  
Yi Yi Myint ◽  
Clyde Dapat ◽  
...  

The epidemiological study of influenza in Southeast Asia is limited. We surveyed influenza in Myanmar from 2007 to 2013. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from patients in the two cities of Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw. Samples were screened using rapid influenza diagnostic kits and identified by virus isolation. Isolates were characterized by cyclingprobe-based real-time PCR, drug susceptibility assay, and sequencing. Samples collected numbered 5,173, from which 1,686 influenza viruses were isolated during the seven-year study period. Of these, 187 strains were of seasonal influenza A(H1N1), 274 of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 791 of influenza A(H3N2), and 434 of influenza B. Interestingly, two zanamivir and amantadine-resistant strains each were detected in 2007 and 2008. These rare dual-resistant strains had a Q136K mutation in the NA protein and S31N substitution in the M2 protein. Our collaboration raised the influenza surveillance laboratory capacity in Myanmar and led Yangon’s National Health Laboratory – one of the nation’s leading research institutes – to being designated a National Influenza Center by the World Health Organization.

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 1626-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara L. Russo ◽  
Andrea V. Pontoriero ◽  
Estefania Benedetti ◽  
Andrea Czech ◽  
Martin Avaro ◽  
...  

This study was conducted as part of the Argentinean Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses Surveillance Network, in the context of the Global Influenza Surveillance carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective was to study the activity and the antigenic and genomic characteristics of circulating viruses for three consecutive seasons (2010, 2011 and 2012) in order to investigate the emergence of influenza viral variants. During the study period, influenza virus circulation was detected from January to December. Influenza A and B, and all current subtypes of human influenza viruses, were present each year. Throughout the 2010 post-pandemic season, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, unexpectedly, almost disappeared. The haemagglutinin (HA) of the A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses studied were segregated in a different genetic group to those identified during the 2009 pandemic, although they were still antigenically closely related to the vaccine strain A/California/07/2009. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses were the predominant strains circulating during the 2011 season, accounting for nearly 76 % of influenza viruses identified. That year, all HA sequences of the A(H3N2) viruses tested fell into the A/Victoria/208/2009 genetic clade, but remained antigenically related to A/Perth/16/2009 (reference vaccine recommended for this three-year period). A(H3N2) viruses isolated in 2012 were antigenically closely related to A/Victoria/361/2011, recommended by the WHO as the H3 component for the 2013 Southern Hemisphere formulation. B viruses belonging to the B/Victoria lineage circulated in 2010. A mixed circulation of viral variants of both B/Victoria and B/Yamagata lineages was detected in 2012, with the former being predominant. A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses remained antigenically closely related to the vaccine virus A/California/7/2009; A(H3N2) viruses continually evolved into new antigenic clusters and both B lineages, B/Victoria/2/87-like and B/Yamagata/16/88-like viruses, were observed during the study period. The virological surveillance showed that the majority of the circulating strains during the study period were antigenically related to the corresponding Southern Hemisphere vaccine strains except for the 2012 A(H3N2) viruses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Peck ◽  
Jean Moselen ◽  
Sook Kwan Brown ◽  
Megan Triantafilou ◽  
Hilda Lau ◽  
...  

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record total of 9,266 human influenza positive samples during 2019. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or embryonated hen’s eggs for potential use in seasonal influenza virus vaccines. In 2019, influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated over influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses, accounting for a total of 51% of all viruses analysed. The majority of A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2019. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that a significant proportion of circulating A(H3N2) viruses had undergone genetic drift relative to the WHO recommended vaccine strain for 2019. Of 5,301 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, four A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses showed highly reduced inhibition with oseltamivir, one A(H1N1)pdm09 virus showed highly reduced inhibition with zanamivir and three B/Victoria viruses showed highly reduced inhibition with zanamivir.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
Influenza Project Team

Following the publications in Eurosurveillance on 31 January [1,2], the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS), the World Health Organization (WHO) and their partners have agreed to update the data on the occurrence of resistance of influenza A/H1N1 viruses to oseltamivir appearing on the ECDC and EISS websites on a weekly basis (every Thursday afternoon). Data on the ECDC website are for European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. The WHO has also published a global table, which it will also refresh weekly. All these data are available through an HTML page on the ECDC web-site [3]. The European data made available through EISS and the EU DG Research-funded European Surveillance Network for Vigilance Against Viral Resistance (VIRGIL) are based on the data that have been uploaded to the EISS antiviral resistance data-base by a fixed time on a Wednesday for publication on a Thursday.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Solovyov ◽  
G Palacios ◽  
T Briese ◽  
W I Lipkin ◽  
R Rabadan

In March and April 2009, a new strain of influenza A(H1N1) virus has been isolated in Mexico and the United States. Since the initial reports more than 10,000 cases have been reported to the World Health Organization, all around the world. Several hundred isolates have already been sequenced and deposited in public databases. We have studied the genetics of the new strain and identified its closest relatives through a cluster analysis approach. We show that the new virus combines genetic information related to different swine influenza viruses. Segments PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP and NS are related to swine H1N2 and H3N2 influenza viruses isolated in North America. Segments NA and M are related to swine influenza viruses isolated in Eurasia.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (32) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Uphoff ◽  
S Geis ◽  
A Grüber ◽  
A M Hauri

For the next influenza season (winter 2009-10) the relative contributions to virus circulation and influenza-associated morbidity of the seasonal influenza viruses A(H3N2), A(H1N1) and B, and the new influenza A(H1N1)v are still unknown. We estimated the chances of seasonal influenza to circulate during the upcoming season using data of the German influenza sentinel scheme from 1992 to 2009. We calculated type and subtype-specific indices for past exposure and the corresponding morbidity indices for each season. For the upcoming season 2009-10 our model suggests that it is unlikely that influenza A(H3N2) will circulate with more than a low intensity, seasonal A(H1N1) with more than a low to moderate intensity, and influenza B with more than a low to median intensity. The probability of a competitive circulation of seasonal influenza A with the new A(H1N1)v is low, increasing the chance for the latter to dominate the next influenza season in Germany.


Author(s):  
Merryn Roe ◽  
Matthew Kaye ◽  
Pina Iannello ◽  
Hilda Lau ◽  
Iwona Buettner ◽  
...  

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a record total of 5866 human influenza positive samples during 2017. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties and were propagated in qualified cells and hens’ eggs for use as potential seasonal influenza vaccine virus candidates. In 2017, influenza A(H3) viruses predominated over influenza A(H1)pdm09 and B viruses, accounting for a total of 54% of all viruses analysed. The majority of A(H1)pdm09, A(H3) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2017. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the majority of circulating A(H3) viruses had undergone genetic drift relative to the WHO recommended vaccine strain for 2017. Of 3733 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, only two A(H1)pdm09 viruses and one A(H3) virus showed highly reduced inhibition by oseltamivir, while just one A(H1)pdm09 virus showed highly reduced inhibition by zanamivir.


2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 387-393
Author(s):  
Mioljub Ristic ◽  
Vesna Stojanovic ◽  
Vesna Milosevic ◽  
Jelena Radovanov ◽  
Tihomir Dugandzija ◽  
...  

Introduction/Objective. In August 2010, World Health Organization declared the beginning of the postpandemic phase of influenza surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and virological characteristics of influenza and correlation between the influenza occurrence and weather conditions. Methods. We used surveillance reports of influenza and laboratory data from October 2010 to May 2015. Data for the analysis were collected through sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and by virological surveillance. The nasal and throat swabs from all influenza cases were performed by the PCR laboratory method. Results. During the observed period, the highest rates of ILI were registered during the 2010/11 and 2012/13 seasons, with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B being predominant, respectively. The highest weekly age-specific rates of ILI were registered in school-age children (ages 5?14). Out of 1,466 samples collected, 720 (49.1%) were laboratory confirmed as influenza, and influenza A virus was more frequently detected than influenza B. Among confirmed cases of influenza, participation of patients with SARI or ILI was nearly equal (46% vs. 44.1%). There was a weak correlation observed between the decrease in temperature and rainfall and the increase in influenza detection (? = -0.04214 vs. ? = -0.01545, respectively, p > 0.05). Conclusion. There is a need for continuous surveillance in order to predict seasonal trends and prepare for a timely response to influenza outbreak.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S313-S313
Author(s):  
James Levin ◽  
Allen Borchardt ◽  
Thanh Lam ◽  
Wanlong Jiang ◽  
Zhi-Yong Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In 2018, the World Health Organization estimated up to 650,000 influenza-related respiratory deaths occur annually. Cidara therapeutics is developing a novel class of potent, long-acting antiviral Fc-conjugates (AVCs) against influenza that in a single molecule combine a surface-acting antiviral agent with the Fc domain of a human IgG1 antibody. AVCs function by inhibiting viral replication while simultaneously engaging the immune system, providing a multimodal mechanism of action. Here we present efficacy data on an AVC development candidate against influenza A and B. Methods Efficacy studies were conducted in female BALB/c mice (6–8 weeks) challenged intranasally with 3x the LD95 of influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) or B/Malaysia/2506/04. CB-012 or CB-012b (CB-012 with slightly modified Fc) was administered as a single intravenous (IV) dose 2 hours after challenge. Oseltamivir was dosed orally, twice daily for 5 days in the influenza A study. Vehicle and appropriate Fc controls were included. Body weights (BW) and mortality were monitored for 2 weeks; animals with 20% BW loss, or moribund, were scored as a death. Results In an initial study of CB-012 against influenza A, a single IV dose of 0.4 mg/kg was fully protective and statistically significant compared with the Fc control (P = 0.0027). In contrast, mice treated with oseltamivir at 5 mg/kg twice daily for 5 days were not protected; only the higher 20 mg/kg dose was fully protective. Importantly, mice treated with CB-012 (0.4 mg/kg) showed a transient BW loss of 1% compared with 14% in mice of the oseltamivir (20 mg/kg) group, although treatment was initiated at the same time. In a second study against influenza B, CB-012b was fully protective with a single IV dose at 0.3 mg/kg (P = 0.0027). In contrast, vehicle and Fc control groups reached mortality by day 6. BW loss in the CB-012b 0.3 mg/kg group was transient and <4% overall during the study. Conclusion The novel AVCs CB-012 and CB-012b demonstrated robust efficacy in multiple influenza models. In conjunction with previous findings against influenza A (H3N2), the data on CB-012 support its potential as a candidate against seasonal influenza. The continued development of CB-012 for the prevention and treatment of influenza is warranted. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia H Price ◽  
Natalie Spirason ◽  
Cleve Rynehart ◽  
Sook Kwan Brown ◽  
Angela Todd ◽  
...  

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a total of 3993 human influenza-positive samples during 2018. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties. Selected viruses were propagated in qualified cells or hens’ eggs for use as potential seasonal influenza vaccine virus candidates. In 2018, influenza A(H1)pdm09 viruses predominated over influenza A(H3) and B viruses, accounting for a total of 53% of all viruses analysed. The majority of A(H1)pdm09, A(H3) and influenza B viruses analysed at the Centre were found to be antigenically similar to the respective WHO-recommended vaccine strains for the Southern Hemisphere in 2018. However, phylogenetic analysis indicated that a significant proportion of circulating A(H3) viruses had undergone genetic drift relative to the WHO-recommended vaccine strain for 2018. Of 2864 samples tested for susceptibility to the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir, three A(H1)pdm09 viruses showed highly reduced inhibition by oseltamivir, while one B/Victoria virus showed highly reduced inhibition by both oseltamivir and zanamivir.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Huber ◽  
H Campe ◽  
D Sebah ◽  
C Hartberger ◽  
R Konrad ◽  
...  

For surveillance purposes real-time PCR assays for influenza viruses had to be adapted to the pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 strain. We combined published primers and probes for influenza A, influenza B and an internal amplification control with a detection system for influenza A(H1N1)2009 to set up a rapid, reliable, simple and cost-effective high-throughput multiplex one-step real-time RT-PCR. The workflow also includes automated sample preparation for high-throughput screening. The lower limit of detection of the multiplex assay was 3.5x102 RNA copies per PCR reaction. The diagnostic sensitivity of the multiplex assay was 87.7%, but increased to 99.4% for influenza-positive samples yielding Ct values of less than 34 cycles in the respective diagnostic assay. High specificity was confirmed by sequencing and correct detection of 15 reference samples from two quality assurance studies. The multiplex PCR was introduced for surveillance of samples from a network of general practitioners and paediatricians in Bavaria, Germany during the influenza pandemic of 2009. Comparison with surveillance data from reported cases proved the reliability of the multiplex assay for influenza surveillance programmes.


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