scholarly journals Development of an interactive online tool for genome sequence-based influenza vaccine strain selection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sweta Pragyan Praharaj
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Phylogenetic Tree ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Vaccine Strain ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Antigenic Cartography

Seasonal influenza viruses in humans infect approximately 5 [percent] to 15 [percent] of the population and cause an estimated half-million deaths worldwide per year. Among the four co-circulating seasonal influenza viruses, subtype H3N2 and H1N1 influenza A viruses have rapid mutations and frequent antigenic drift events, leading to frequent updates of vaccine strains in the seasonal influenza vaccine. Seasonal influenza vaccination is the primary option to prevent and control influenza epidemics, and the selection of an antigenic matched vaccine strain is one of the keys to the success of seasonal influenza vaccination. Thus, it is critical to have robust and rapid antigenic analyses of epidemic strains and estimates of their genetic and antigenic relationship with the vaccine strain in use. In this study, we present vaccineEvol, an interactive and user-friendly web visualization tool that allows researchers to comprehend large sequence datasets into antigenic and genetic analyses. With the integration of the genomic sequences from the public database, the tool enables the users to track and analyze both genetic and antigenic evolutionary dynamics of seasonal influenza viruses. Primarily, our application can quantify both genetic and antigenic distances among seasonal H3N2 influenza A viruses and display genetic and antigenic variants using phylogenetic tree and antigenic cartography, respectively. The users can also interactively analyze genetic and antigenic variants between the phylogenetic tree and antigenic cartography. The application performs machine learning based computations in the backend, which was previously developed in our lab, and efficient construction of trees and maps in the frontend. In summary, in this study, an interactive web server was developed for rapid antigenic and genetic analyses of seasonal influenza viruses and thus facilitate seasonal influenza vaccine strain selection.

scholarly journals Circulating influenza viruses and the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in Romania, season 2012-2013 / Virusurile gripale circulante și eficacitatea vaccinului gripal sezonier în România, în sezonul 2012-2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Pitigoi ◽  
George Necula ◽  
Viorel Alexandrescu ◽  
Maria Elena Mihai ◽  
Carmen Maria Cherciu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Strain ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Negative Case ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

AbstractBackgound. Using influenza epidemiological and virological surveillance data, we aimed at investigating the profile of influenza viruses circulating in Romania during the season 2012-2013 and estimating the effectiveness (VE) of the seasonal vaccine. Methods. We tested all specimens collected from patients with influenza like illness (ILI) in the national surveillance system between week 40/2012 to week 20/2013. Influenza A/B positive specimens identified by molecular detection (RT-PCR) were further characterized. We used hemagglutination inhibition assay for antigenic characterization and chemiluminiscence assay for the antiviral susceptibility testing. Subsequently we conducted nucleotide sequencing of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes and phylogenetic tree analyses. We estimated influenza VE using the test negative case-control study design, as 1-odds ratio of vaccination among ILI cases positive for influenza and ILI negative controls. Results and Discussions. We tested 1087 specimens, and 537 cases were positive (56.2% influenza B, 40.6% A(H1N1)pdm09, 3.2% A(H3N2). Sixty-four influenza viruses were antigenically and/or genetically characterized. A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were related to the vaccine strain A/ California/07/2009 and clustered with genetic group 6 similar to A/St. Petersburg/27/2011. Influenza B viruses belonged to clade 2 of type B/Yamagata lineage, related to B/Estonia/55669/2011 except one, B/Victoria lineage, representative strain B/Brisbane/60/2008. A(H3) viruses clustered with group 3C of the A/Victoria/208/2009 clade, similar to the vaccine strain A/Victoria/361/2011. All tested strains (57) demonstrated susceptibility to oseltamivir and zanamivir. The adjusted seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (N=119) was 76.9% (95% CI: -113.4, 98.5), suggesting a good protection, consistent with the good match between the vaccine and circulating strains.

scholarly journals Reduced cross-protection against influenza A(H3N2) subgroup 3C.2a and 3C.3a viruses among Finnish healthcare workers vaccinated with 2013/14 seasonal influenza vaccine

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Haveri ◽  
N Ikonen ◽  
I Julkunen ◽  
A Kantele ◽  
V J Anttila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Cross Protection ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Virus Strains

Virus strains in the seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2014/15 northern hemisphere season remained unchanged from those in 2013/14. During spring 2014, drifted influenza A(H3N2) viruses, subgroup 3C.3a, were detected in Finland; another subgroup, 3C.2a, emerged in the 2014/15 season and has predominated. We monitored antibody responses against vaccine and epidemic strains (2013/14 and 2014/15) among Finnish healthcare workers after influenza vaccination with the 2013/14 vaccine. The data suggest reduced cross-protection towards both subgroups of drifted A(H3N2) viruses.

scholarly journals Long-Term Immunogenicity of the Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 2009 Vaccine among Health Care Workers: Influence of Prior Seasonal Influenza Vaccination

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joon Young Song ◽  
Hee Jin Cheong ◽  
Yu Bin Seo ◽  
In Seon Kim ◽  
Ji Yun Noh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
2009 H1n1

ABSTRACTHealth care workers (HCWs) are at great risk of influenza infection and transmission. Vaccination for seasonal influenza is routinely recommended, but this strategy should be reconsidered in a pandemic situation. Between October 2009 and September 2010, a multicenter study was conducted to assess the long-term immunogenicity of the A/H1N1 2009 monovalent influenza vaccine among HCWs compared to non-health care workers (NHCWs). The influence of prior seasonal influenza vaccination was also assessed with respect to the immunogenicity of pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine. Serum hemagglutinin inhibition titers were determined prevaccination and then at 1, 6, and 10 months after vaccination. Of the 360 enrolled HCW subjects, 289 participated in the study up to 10 months after H1N1 monovalent influenza vaccination, while 60 of 65 NHCW subjects were followed up. Seroprotection rates, seroconversion rates, and geometric mean titer (GMT) ratios fulfilled the European Union's licensure criteria for influenza A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) at 1 month after vaccination in both the HCWs and NHCWs, without any significant difference. At 6 months after vaccination, the seroprotection rate was more significantly lowered among the NHCWs than among the HCWs (P< 0.01). Overall, postvaccination (1, 6, and 10 months after vaccination) GMTs for A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) were significantly lower among the seasonal influenza vaccine recipients than among the nonrecipients (P< 0.05). In conclusion, HCWs should be encouraged to receive an annual influenza vaccination, considering the risk of repeated exposure. However, prior reception of seasonal influenza vaccine showed a negative influence on immunogenicity for the pandemic A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing influenza primary care visits and hospitalisation in Auckland, New Zealand in 2015: interim estimates

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bissielo ◽  
N Pierse ◽  
QS Huang ◽  
MG Thompson ◽  
H Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Acute Respiratory Illness ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Preliminary results for influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against acute respiratory illness with circulating laboratory-confirmed influenza viruses in New Zealand from 27 April to 26 September 2015, using a case test-negative design were 36% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11–54) for general practice encounters and 50% (95% CI: 20–68) for hospitalisations. VE against hospitalised influenza A(H3N2) illnesses was moderate at 53% (95% CI: 6–76) but improved compared with previous seasons.

scholarly journals Influenza vaccination in children primed with MF59®-adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2102-2112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timo Vesikari ◽  
Aino Forstén ◽  
Ashwani Arora ◽  
Theodore Tsai ◽  
Ralf Clemens
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

scholarly journals Influenza vaccine in COVID-19 patients: Who?, why?, when?

Pneumologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Raluca Ioana Dospinescu Arcana ◽  
Radu Crișan-Dabija ◽  
Anda Tesloianu ◽  
Daniela Robu Popa ◽  
Oana-Elena Rohozneanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Cold Season ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Double Infection ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Related Mode ◽  
Evolution Approach

Abstract Considering the increased prevalence of influenza infections in the cold season and the pandemic evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the medical staffs are facing potential viral co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus. Both viruses belong to the category of ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, having common structural features, causing a similar immune response, with a related mode of transmission and with both respiratory and general symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses cause contagious infections and the protective measures against them are the same: wearing masks in crowded spaces, proper hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places. Co-infections with influenza A and B viruses and SARS-CoV-2 virus involve additional precautions regarding the therapeutic and evolution approach. Studies show that patients who have been vaccinated against influenza have developed milder forms of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. In elderly patients, increased influenza vaccination coverage has shown to be associated with a decrease in mortality rate and also reduced the heavy impact of double infection. The Influenza vaccine can trigger early immune mechanisms in order to facilitate early detection of SARS-CoV-2 as well as its clearance. Influenza vaccination should now be seen, more than ever, as a strategy to combat the growing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, especially in vulnerable populations (elderly and people with associated comorbidities).

scholarly journals Broadly Reactive H2 Hemagglutinin Vaccines Elicit Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Ferrets Preimmune to Seasonal Influenza A Viruses

mSphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Beau Reneer ◽  
Amanda L. Skarlupka ◽  
Parker J. Jamieson ◽  
Ted M. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Global Pandemic

ABSTRACT Influenza vaccines have traditionally been tested in naive mice and ferrets. However, humans are first exposed to influenza viruses within the first few years of their lives. Therefore, there is a pressing need to test influenza virus vaccines in animal models that have been previously exposed to influenza viruses before being vaccinated. In this study, previously described H2 computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin (HA) vaccines (Z1 and Z5) were tested in influenza virus “preimmune” ferret models. Ferrets were infected with historical, seasonal influenza viruses to establish preimmunity. These preimmune ferrets were then vaccinated with either COBRA H2 HA recombinant proteins or wild-type H2 HA recombinant proteins in a prime-boost regimen. A set of naive preimmune or nonpreimmune ferrets were also vaccinated to control for the effects of the multiple different preimmunities. All of the ferrets were then challenged with a swine H2N3 influenza virus. Ferrets with preexisting immune responses influenced recombinant H2 HA-elicited antibodies following vaccination, as measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and classical neutralization assays. Having both H3N2 and H1N1 immunological memory regardless of the order of exposure significantly decreased viral nasal wash titers and completely protected all ferrets from both morbidity and mortality, including the mock-vaccinated ferrets in the group. While the vast majority of the preimmune ferrets were protected from both morbidity and mortality across all of the different preimmunities, the Z1 COBRA HA-vaccinated ferrets had significantly higher antibody titers and recognized the highest number of H2 influenza viruses in a classical neutralization assay compared to the other H2 HA vaccines. IMPORTANCE H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses have cocirculated in the human population since 1977. Nearly every human alive today has antibodies and memory B and T cells against these two subtypes of influenza viruses. H2N2 influenza viruses caused the 1957 global pandemic and people born after 1968 have never been exposed to H2 influenza viruses. It is quite likely that a future H2 influenza virus could transmit within the human population and start a new global pandemic, since the majority of people alive today are immunologically naive to viruses of this subtype. Therefore, an effective vaccine for H2 influenza viruses should be tested in an animal model with previous exposure to influenza viruses that have circulated in humans. Ferrets were infected with historical influenza A viruses to more accurately mimic the immune responses in people who have preexisting immune responses to seasonal influenza viruses. In this study, preimmune ferrets were vaccinated with wild-type (WT) and COBRA H2 recombinant HA proteins in order to examine the effects that preexisting immunity to seasonal human influenza viruses have on the elicitation of broadly cross-reactive antibodies from heterologous vaccination.

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