ABSTRACT
In late 2017, increased mortality was detected in chicken farms in Algeria undergoing A(H9N2) influenza outbreaks. Analysis of viruses isolated from affected farms showed that they were monophyletic, were of the G1 hemagglutinin (HA) lineage, and were antigenically and genetically similar to viruses detected contemporaneously in other countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East. The virus was able to spread via contact transmission between ferrets but did not cause disease in intravenously inoculated chickens.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/physiology , Influenza in Birds/epidemiology , Influenza in Birds/virology , Algeria/epidemiology , Animals , Chickens , Farms , Ferrets , Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests/veterinary , Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics , Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology , Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/classification , Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype/immunology , Influenza in Birds/diagnosis , Influenza in Birds/transmission , Neuraminidase/genetics , Phylogeny , Viral Load/veterinary , Viral Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
Influenza season 2007/2008 was marked by a worldwide emergence of oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1) viruses possessing a mutation in the neuraminidase gene causing His-to-Tyr substitution at amino acid position 275 (H275Y). These strains were isolated in Algeria where 30% of seasonal A(H1N1) viruses harbored the H275Y mutation. Emergence of resistant viruses to currently approved antiviral drug determined the need for antiviral susceptibility monitoring in Algeria especially that oseltamivir is currently used in hospitals of some provinces of the country for treatment of influenza in populations at risk. The aim of the present study is to investigate the sensitivity of circulating influenza viruses in Algeria to oseltamivir. We present 5-year local surveillance results from 2009/2010 influenza season to 2013/2014 influenza season. We tested the sensitivity to oseltamivir of 387 human influenza A and B viruses isolated in Algeria. Determination of IC50 values were performed using the fluorogenic MUNANA substrate. To detect the H275Y mutation in the neuraminidase of the A(H1N1) strains we performed a real-time RT-PCR allelic discrimination analysis. The obtained results showed that all influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), and B viruses studied remained susceptible to oseltamivir. This is the first study on influenza antiviral susceptibility surveillance in Algeria. Obtained results allow establishing a baseline data for future studies on antiviral resistance emergence worldwide. Our report highlights the importance of a continued and active monitoring of circulating viruses in Algeria for strengthens collaboration within the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.
