Analysis of genetic characterization on hemagglutinin gene of influenza B virus isolated in Fujian province, 2010-2015 / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To understand the epidemiological and virological features of influenza B viruses and the difference between the vaccine strains and epidemic strains, the antigenic and genetic characteristics on hemagglutinin (HA) gene of influenza B viruses circulating in Fujian during 2010-2015.@*Methods@#The representative strains were selected randomly according to the lineage of influenza B viruses isolated from network laboratory in Fujian, 2010-2015. Viral RNA was extracted and gene fragments were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ) and the PCR products were sequenced. The complete HA gene sequence was obtained and analyzed via bioinformatics.@*Results@#Compared to the vaccine strains recommended by WHO, there were significant changes in genetic and antigenic characteristics on HA gene of B Yamagata lineage viruses from 2010 to 2015, especially in 2010, 2014 and 2015. There were major five amino acid residues substitutions (116, 150, 165, 196 and 202) involved in antigenic determinants, and the variable sites gradually increased as time on over. However, the variability of B Victoria lineage viruses on HA gene was less and there was no obvious trend over time. The results showed that the B Yamagata vaccine strains of 2010 and 2015 recommended by WHO had poor protective effect on influenza virus infection, while the B Victoria vaccine strain still play a satisfactory protective effect on humans in Fujian.@*Conclusions@#With time on, influenza B Yamagata lineage viruses had gradually mutated, causing a poorly match with vaccine strains in part of year, and emerging antigenic drift phenomenon. Strengthening further surveillance of mutations of B influenza virus remains essential to allow for early warning of influenza epidemic.