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

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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DRIFT OF INFLUENA A(H3N2) VIRUS: BIOLOGICAL, ANTIGENIC AND GENETIC PROPERTIES IN EPIDEMIC SEASON 2016-2017 IN RUSSIA AND COUNTRIES OF THE NOTHERN HEMYSPHERE

Voprosy Virusologii ◽

10.18821/0507-4088-2018-63-2-61-68 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 61-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. K. Lvov ◽

E. I. Burtseva ◽

E. S. Kirillova ◽

L. V. Kolobukhina ◽

E. A. Mukasheva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Northern Hemisphere ◽

Influenza A ◽

H3n2 Virus ◽

Research Centre ◽

Federal State ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

B Virus

The article presents the features of the influenza virus circulation for the period from October 2016 to May 2017 in some territories of Russia collaborating with the D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.F. Gamaleya Federal Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology”, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. One of the 2016-2017 season’s peculiarities in Russia and countries of the Northern hemisphere was the earlier start of an increase in ARD morbidity with peak indexes reached towards the end of December 2016 - January 2017. First, influenza A(H3N2) virus was predominant; then, it was followed by influenza B virus activity observed until the end of the season. The indexes of morbidity were higher than in the previous season, while the rates of hospitalization and mortality were lower, lethal cases being detected in persons 65 years old and older. Epidemic strains of influenza A(H3N2) virus belonged to 3c.2a genetic group, reference strain A/Hong Hong/4408/2014, and its subgroup 3c.2a1, reference A/Bolzano/7/2016, that are antigenically similar. Strains of influenza B virus were antigenically similar to the B/Brisbane/60/2008 vaccine virus. Strains were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. The share participation of non-influenza ARI viruses was similar to preliminary epidemic seasons. WHO has issued recommendations for influenza virus vaccines composition for 2017-2018 for the Northern hemisphere.

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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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The role of influenza viruses in the development of severe acute respiratory infection in patients admitted to Yekaterinburg hospitals during 2017–2018 epidemic season

Journal of microbiology epidemiology immunobiology ◽

10.36233/0372-9311-2020-97-2-140-149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 97 (2) ◽

pp. 140-149

Author(s):

Aleksandr V. Alimov ◽

Svetlana S. Smirnova ◽

Evgenia V. Lelenkova ◽

Aleksandr Yu. Markaryan ◽

Ivan V. Vyalykh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Influenza B ◽

Amino Acid Substitutions ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Respiratory Viral Infections

Objective. To study the role of influenza viruses in the development of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in patients admitted to Yekaterinburg hospitals during 2017-2018 epidemic season.Materials and Methods. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of influenza incidence in Yekaterinburg was conducted, 403 influenza and acute respiratory viral infections case sheets were studied, and PCR analysis of clinical samples from the patients for respiratory viral infections was performed.Results. During the epidemic period a total 27.0% of the Yekaterinburg population were reported with influenza and other SARI, with 1.8% patients hospitalized. 5.6% of the total number of patients admitted with influenza and SARI in Yekaterinburg hospitals were included in the study. The rate of the detection of influenza A and B viruses RNA in the clinical samples from the patients with SARI was 28.3%. The rates of the detection in PCR of influenza B/Yamagata, A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) were 46.5, 20.2 and 10.5%, respectively.Conclusion. The study results indicated that influenza viruses remain significant pathogens of respiratory infections that required hospitalization. Among patients with SARI the highest incidence was observed in children of a younger age group and was mainly associated with influenza B virus of Yamagata lineage and influenza A virus (H1N1)pdm09. According to the results of a molecular genetic study, influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses belonged to clade 6B.1, carried characteristic amino acid substitutions in hemagglutinin S84N, S162N (with the acquisition of a potential glycosylation site) and I216T and were similar to the A/Michigan/45/2015 vaccine strain. The influenza B viruses studied belonged to the Yamagata lineage, clade 3. The influenza B/Ekaterinburg /RII-4723S/2018 virus differed from the reference strain B/Phuket/3073/2013 by two amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin gene M251V and L172Q.

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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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Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and influenza viruses based on CRISPR-Cas12a

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370220963793 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 153537022096379

Author(s):

Oraphan Mayuramart ◽

Pattaraporn Nimsamer ◽

Somruthai Rattanaburi ◽

Naphat Chantaravisoot ◽

Kritsada Khongnomnan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Influenza A ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Influenza Virus A ◽

B Virus

Due to the common symptoms of COVID-19, patients are similar to influenza-like illness. Therefore, the detection method would be crucial to discriminate between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus-infected patients. In this study, CRISPR-Cas12a-based detection was applied for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus, and influenza B virus which would be a practical and attractive application for screening of patients with COVID-19 and influenza in areas with limited resources. The limit of detection for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B detection was 10, 103, and 103 copies/reaction, respectively. Moreover, the assays yielded no cross-reactivity against other respiratory viruses. The results revealed that the detection of influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 by using RT-RPA and CRISPR-Cas12a technology reaches 96.23% sensitivity and 100% specificity for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The sensitivity for influenza virus A and B detections was 85.07% and 94.87%, respectively. In addition, the specificity for influenza virus A and B detections was approximately 96%. In conclusion, the RT-RPA with CRISPR-Cas12a assay was an effective method for the screening of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 which could be applied to detect other infectious diseases in the future.

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Influenza A(H1N1)pdm 2009 and influenza B virus co-infection in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients during the 2015–2016 epidemic season in Israel

Journal of Clinical Virology ◽

10.1016/j.jcv.2017.01.002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 88 ◽

pp. 12-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Rakefet Pando ◽

Yaron Drori ◽

Nehemya Friedman ◽

Aharona Glatman-Freedman ◽

Hanna Sefty ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza A ◽

Hospitalized Patients ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Influenza A H1n1 ◽

B Virus

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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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Influenza B viruses exhibit lower within-host diversity than influenza A viruses in human hosts

10.1101/791038 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Andrew L. Valesano ◽

William J. Fitzsimmons ◽

John T. McCrone ◽

Joshua G. Petrie ◽

Arnold S. Monto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Influenza A Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Influenza A Viruses ◽

Community Based ◽

B Virus

AbstractInfluenza B virus undergoes seasonal antigenic drift more slowly than influenza A, but the reasons for this difference are unclear. While the evolutionary dynamics of influenza viruses play out globally, they are fundamentally driven by mutation, reassortment, drift, and selection within individual hosts. These processes have recently been described for influenza A virus, but little is known about the evolutionary dynamics of influenza B virus (IBV) at the level of individual infections and transmission events. Here we define the within-host evolutionary dynamics of influenza B virus by sequencing virus populations from naturally-infected individuals enrolled in a prospective, community-based cohort over 8176 person-seasons of observation. Through analysis of high depth-of-coverage sequencing data from samples from 91 individuals with influenza B, we find that influenza B virus accumulates lower genetic diversity than previously observed for influenza A virus during acute infections. Consistent with studies of influenza A viruses, the within-host evolution of influenza B viruses is characterized by purifying selection and the general absence of widespread positive selection of within-host variants. Analysis of shared genetic diversity across 15 sequence-validated transmission pairs suggests that IBV experiences a tight transmission bottleneck similar to that of influenza A virus. These patterns of local-scale evolution are consistent with influenza B virus’ slower global evolutionary rate.ImportanceThe evolution of influenza virus is a significant public health problem and necessitates the annual evaluation of influenza vaccine formulation to keep pace with viral escape from herd immunity. Influenza B virus is a serious health concern for children, in particular, yet remains understudied compared to influenza A virus. Influenza B virus evolves more slowly than influenza A, but the factors underlying this are not completely understood. We studied how the within-host diversity of influenza B virus relates to its global evolution by sequencing viruses from a community-based cohort. We found that influenza B virus populations have lower within-host genetic diversity than influenza A virus and experience a tight genetic bottleneck during transmission. Our work provides insights into the varying dynamics of influenza viruses in human infection.

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