[The effects of a hot water soluble extract (S-03) isolated from Isatis indigotica root on influenza A and B viruses in vitro].

This study was to investigate the antiviral effects of a hot water soluble extract S-03 isolated from Isatis indigotica root on different subtypes of influenza A and B viruses in MDCK cell cultures, using plaque reduction, immunofluorescence and hemo-agglutination inhibition (HAD) assays. Chemical analysis of the extract S-03 showed that it contained high proportion of polysaccharides. The antiviral effects in vitro showed that the S-03 had no effect on different influenza viruses if the drug was used before virus adsorption, but S-03 showed obvious activities against influenza viruses if treatment after virus adsorption or direct reaction of drug and virus before virus adsorption. Hemagglutination inhibition assay showed that S-03 inhibited HA activities of different human influenza viruses (inhibition concentration ranged from 3.12 to 25 mg/mL), avain influenza viruses (inhibition concentration ranged from 25 to 50 mg/mL). The antiviral effects of S-03 on different influenza A and B viruses in vitro might be through the inhibition of the HA to prevent infection.

[Adamantane resistance among seasonal influenza A viruses between January to October in Guangzhou, 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of adamantane-resistance among influenza A viruses isolated from Guangzhou between January and October in 2009, and to provide more information for clinical usage of adamantane drugs. METHODS: Totally 311 influenza A strains isolated from 6 hospitals in Guangzhou between January and October in 2009 were selected, and the MP gene of all 311 strains (159 strains of H1 subtype, 152 strains of H3 subtype) was sequenced. The susceptibility of viruses to rimantadine was assayed by biological methods in cells. RESULT: A hundred and forty-eight strains of influenza A (H1) viruses (93.1%, 148/159) were resistant to the adamantanes, and all the 152 influenza A (H3) viruses were resistant to the adamantanes. An amino acid substitution S31N was found in most of the strains except 1 strain with double mutation V27A/S31N. Furthermore, the M gene of influenza A (H1) viruses was divided into genotype B (human) (97/159) and genotype F (European and Australian birds, 62/159), while the M gene of influenza A (H3) viruses was genotype B (human) (152/152). CONCLUSION: Resistance rate of seasonal influenza A viruses isolated from Guangzhou was high. The MP gene of influenza A (H1) may be replaced by a gene from European and Australian birds through a reassortment event.

[A pathogenic and clinical study of 882 cases of adult influenza-like illness in Guangzhou].

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to describe the viral etiology and clinical features in patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) in Guangzhou. METHODS: The nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were collected from 882 patients presenting with ILI between January and September, 2009. Viral pathogens were cultured and identified by immunofluorescence technique using the Shell-Vial method. The clinical data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: (1) Viral etiology. Of the 882 samples, 385 (43.7%) were confirmed to have at least one of the 9 different respiratory viruses detected. Among these viral isolates, 67.3% (259/385) were seasonal influenza A virus, 27.8% (107/385) were influenza B virus, and 1.3% (5/385) were human parainfluenza virus (PHIV) 1, 2, or 3. In addition, 2 cases (0.5%) of each adenovirus, HSV-1, enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were also found in the samples. Co-infections with more than one virus were revealed in 8 (2.1%) of 385 samples tested, among them 6 samples were mixture of influenza A and influenza B, 1 sample was positive for both influenza B virus and HPIV-3, and 1 was for both adenovirus and RSV. Seasonal influenza B virus appeared endemic between March and May, and seasonal influenza A virus became dominant between June and August. (2) Clinical features. The percentage of patients aged from 18-30 years was much higher than that of other age groups. The most common symptoms were moderate fever and sore throat, followed by cough. The percentage of upper respiratory infection and pneumonia was 88.4% (727/882) and 10.7% (95/882) respectively. Clinical features did not discriminate between patients with seasonal influenza A and those with influenza B virus infection. The average numbers of leukocytes and lymphocytes were lower in the group positive for influenza viruses than in virus negative group. The patients with adenovirus, HPIV and RSV infection were significantly younger. No rash was observed in patients with enterovirus or HSV infection. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Seasonal influenza virus was the major viral etiologic agent of ILI in Guangzhou during the first 9 months in 2009. Influenza B and A viruses seasonally prevailed in spring and summer, respectively, while other viral etiologic agents appeared to be sporadic. (2) The analysis of clinical features in patients with ILI indicated that fever was the most common symptom, with body temperature varying greatly, and may be associated with evident respiratory and occasionally systemic symptoms. Among the cases with viral infection, the upper respiratory presentation was universal, and pneumonia was frequently noticed.