ABSTRACT
During the 2016-17 influenza season (October 2, 2016-May 20, 2017) in the United States, influenza activity* was moderate. Activity remained low through November, increased during December, and peaked in February nationally, although there were regional differences in the timing of influenza activity. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominated through mid-March and were predominant overall for the season, but influenza B viruses were most commonly reported from late March through May. This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during October 2, 2016-May 20, 2017 and updates the previous summary (1).
Subject(s)
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H1N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza A Virus, H7N2 Subtype/isolation & purification , Influenza B virus/isolation & purification , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Coinfection , Drug Resistance, Viral , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Infant , Infant Mortality , Infant, Newborn , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/drug effects , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H1N2 Subtype/drug effects , Influenza A Virus, H1N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/drug effects , Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza A Virus, H7N2 Subtype/drug effects , Influenza A Virus, H7N2 Subtype/genetics , Influenza B virus/drug effects , Influenza B virus/genetics , Influenza Vaccines/chemistry , Influenza, Human/mortality , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Influenza, Human/virology , Middle Aged , Outpatients/statistics & numerical data , Pneumonia/mortality , Seasons , United States/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Fucoidan from the sporophyll (Mekabu) of brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) is interesting due to its various biological activities. Mekabu fucoidan (Mw â¼ 9 kDa) of this study (MF) was previously isolated and characterized by chemical and separation methods including GPC and methylation analysis (Lee, Hayashi, Hashimoto, Nakano, & Hayashi, 2004). It was found that this fucoidan composed of partially sulphated (DS â¼ 0.72) fucose and galactose at approximately equal amounts. Methylation analyses revealed complex structure of MF. However, it has been still unclear about the linkages between units and substitution patterns. To solve these structural tasks, spectroscopic methods (FTIR, FT Raman and NMR) were used in the analysis of native MF and its deesterified derivatives. According to obtained results, this polysaccharide was defined as O-acetylated sulphated fucogalactan. The defensive effects of MF were evaluated on mice infected with avian influenza A viruses (H5N3 and H7N2 subtypes); its efficacy was determined in reducing viral replication and increasing antibody production. Oral administration of MF resulted in suppressing virus yields. In addition, the production of neutralizing antibodies and mucosal IgA in the animals inoculated with the avian influenza A viruses was significantly increased. These results suggested that MF could be used for the prevention of viral infection.
