International audience ; Influenza is an acute contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which are unique in their vast genetic variability. By the number of patients affected and the excess of mortality attributable to it, it represents a public health issue. The pandemic risk associated with zoonotic influenza is also a major concern. An active monitoring policy is in place at national and international levels. ; La grippe est une infection respiratoire aiguë contagieuse due aux virus influenza, dont la particularité réside dans sa grande variabilité génétique. Par le nombre de patients atteints et l'excès de mortalité qui lui est attribuable, elle représente un enjeu de santé publique. Le risque pandémique associé à la grippe zoonotique constitue également une préoccupation majeure. Une politique de surveillance active est en place au niveau national et international.
International audience ; Influenza is an acute contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which are unique in their vast genetic variability. By the number of patients affected and the excess of mortality attributable to it, it represents a public health issue. The pandemic risk associated with zoonotic influenza is also a major concern. An active monitoring policy is in place at national and international levels. ; La grippe est une infection respiratoire aiguë contagieuse due aux virus influenza, dont la particularité réside dans sa grande variabilité génétique. Par le nombre de patients atteints et l'excès de mortalité qui lui est attribuable, elle représente un enjeu de santé publique. Le risque pandémique associé à la grippe zoonotique constitue également une préoccupation majeure. Une politique de surveillance active est en place au niveau national et international.
La mise en œuvre d'une politique de sélection génétique spécifiquement dédiée à l'amélioration de la résistance des animaux domestiques aux maladies infectieuses constitue un projet prometteur, tant en terme de santé publique (limitation de l'usage des antibiotiques) qu'en terme de bien-être animal et de rentabilité des élevages (diminution des intrants). Dans ce contexte, connaître un gène-candidat et disposer d'un jeu de variants alléliques à ce locus dans l'espèce visée sont des prérequis. En ce qui concerne la résistance aux virus influenza A, un gène-candidat était bien connu lorsque ce travail a débuté ; il s'agissait du gène mx1 de la souris dont l'un des variants (dit "A2G" du nom de la souche consanguine chez laquelle le trait de résistance qui lui est associé a été découvert) confère une résistance quasi-absolue contre les virus précités. J'ai d'abord participé à l'élucidation de l'organisation génomique du locus mx1 porcin. Après, je me suis lancée dans l'inventaire des variants alléliques éventuellement présents à ce locus. J'en ai identifié deux principaux. Ensuite, j'ai établi les fréquences de ces allèles dans les différentes races de porcs européens et chez le sanglier. La seconde partie de mes travaux suscite des questions de nature fonctionnelle. D'abord, j'ai mis en évidence que l'activité anti-influenza des deux allèles est significativement différente, l'allèle canonique (le plus ressemblant aux autres protéines Mx mammaliennes) conférant une meilleure résistance. Ensuite, j'ai entrepris les premières étapes d'une étude des mécanismes sous-jacents à la fonction antivirale. En associant diverses expériences, j'ai pu déterminer que la Mx1 porcine ralentit le trafic endosomal centripète qui amène les ribonucléoprotéines virales à proximité du noyau.
Introduction: Influenza which is widely known as a flue is caused by influenza virus and is infectious disease. It is seasonal and most common in winter. The symptoms of influenza are runny nose, sneezing, fever, muscle pain, headache and coughing some time. Influenza is common disease in Pakistan and also in Dera Ghazi Khan. Dera Ghazi Khan Climate is very hot in summer with scattered and little rain and in winter the weather is cold and dry for few months which lead to the outbreak of influenza in the city and its rural areas. The research study about influenza was conducted from September 2018 to Jan 2019 in district Dera Ghazi Khan when the spread is common and most of the population is suffering from it. Influenza vaccination is available in the market and has helped to reduce the number of cases in educated community. The purpose of the study is to analyze the seasonality of the disease and how to control it in its peak season. Methods: The study was conducted in the distric Dera Ghazi Khan. It is an underdeveloped and underserved area of South Punjab. In the past the district remains neglected but the present Government is paying attention to the development of the district in terms of infrastructure improvement, providing better health facilities and health cards to the poor, better education and availability of clean drinking water to the people of the neglected area. Time period of the study was September 2018 to Jan 2019.The sample size selected was 500 It consisted of the patients who came with the respiratory problem and complain of flue in government Hospitals. Influenza virus through diagnostic tests were detected in 200 patients among them 150 belonged to type A virus and 30 belonged to type B virus. Conclusion: From the study it was obvious that if the vaccination before the start of the season is promoted extensively the burden of disease reduces in the peak season and also awareness about hygienic condition and preventive measures to avoid flue can help the people to enjoy winter without runny ...
A prospective surveillance program for influenza viruses was established in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) in July of 2005. We report isolation of H5N1 virus genetically distinct from H5N1 circulating in 2004, which indicates reintroduction of H5N1 into Lao PDR after its disappearance (i.e., no virologic or serologic evidence) for 2 years.
Rabies virus (RABV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus type-2 (CPV-2), and canine influenza A virus (CIV) are important contagious pathogens in canine populations. To assess post-vaccination immunity against RABV, CDV and CPV-2, and serological evidence of exposure to influenza A virus in military working dogs (MWDs) in Korea, we tested blood samples of 78 MWDs by fluorescent antibody virus neutralization (FAVN) for RABV, and by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for CDV, CPV-2, and CIV. Korean MWDs had high antibody-positive rates against RABV (97.4%, ≥0.5 IU/ml), CDV (94.8%), and CPV (100%). All dogs tested seronegative (0/78; 0%) for influenza A virus. Two 1-year-old dogs stationed in known rabies outbreak areas (Gangwon and Gyeonggi) exhibited VNA titers below the protective level (0.06 and 0.29 IU/ml, respectively). The breed and sex of MWDs were not significantly associated with antibody titers for RABV, CDV, or CPV; however, age was significantly associated with CPV antibody titers, while region of residence was associated with CDV antibody titer. Taken together, the data presented here provide important insights necessary for post-vaccination management and control of infectious diseases in MWDs.
The last two and a half years have witnessed a curious debate in virology characterized by a remarkable lack of discussion. It goes by the misleading epithet "gain of function" (GOF) influenza virus research, or simply GOF. As will be seen, there is nothing good to be gained. The controversial experiments confer aerosol transmission on avian influenza virus strains that can infect humans, but which are not naturally transmitted between humans. Some of the newer strains are clearly highly pathogenic for man. It will be shown here that the benefits of the work are erroneous and overstated while the risk of an accident is finite, if small. The consequence of any accident would be anywhere from a handful of infections to a catastrophic pandemic. There has been a single open international meeting in this period, which is surprising given that openness and discussion are essential to good science. Despite US and EU government funding, no risk–benefit analysis has been published, which again is surprising. This research can be duplicated readily in many labs and requires little high tech. It falls under the definition of DURC without the slightest shadow of a doubt and constitutes the most important challenge facing contemporary biology.
International audience ; The extensive circulation of the H5N1 HPAI virus and the human health threat that it poses, has raised concerns over the food safety implications of this infecting poultry. In addition, among the most important risk factors for the possible emergence of Avian Influenza (AI) in the European Union (EU) and United States (U.S.), the European and Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) respectively have identified legal and illegal importations of infected poultry commodities. This paper reviews existing knowledge on the presence of viable avian influenza viruses in poultry commodities.
In 1950, responding to an invitation by the World Health Organization to all its Member States to establish regional laboratories for the study, in collaboration with the World Influenza Centre, of the distribution and antigenic pattern of influenza viruses, the Government of India set up an Influenza Centre at the Pasteur Institute of Southern India, Coonoor. The author presents a study of the antigenic pattern and variation of the influenza virus strains isolated at the Government of India Influenza Centre during 1950-60. Of the 152 strains isolated, 135 were type A viruses (23 belonging to the A1/Liverpool/50 subtype, 5 to A1/Eire/55, 10 to A1/Ned/56 and 97 to A2/Asia/57), 15 were type B viruses, and 2 were type C viruses. Two striking facts that emerged from this study were the absence of the Scandinavian strains from the area in which the viruses were isolated and the total disappearance of old strains after a new one had appeared.
BACKGROUND: Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus are the most common viruses associated with acute lower respiratory infections in young children (<5 years) and older people (≥65 years). A global report of the monthly activity of these viruses is needed to inform public health strategies and programmes for their control. METHODS: In this systematic analysis, we compiled data from a systematic literature review of studies published between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2017; online datasets; and unpublished research data. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported laboratory-confirmed incidence data of human infection of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, or metapneumovirus, or a combination of these, for at least 12 consecutive months (or 52 weeks equivalent); stable testing practice throughout all years reported; virus results among residents in well-defined geographical locations; and aggregated virus results at least on a monthly basis. Data were extracted through a three-stage process, from which we calculated monthly annual average percentage (AAP) as the relative strength of virus activity. We defined duration of epidemics as the minimum number of months to account for 75% of annual positive samples, with each component month defined as an epidemic month. Furthermore, we modelled monthly AAP of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus using site-specific temperature and relative humidity for the prediction of local average epidemic months. We also predicted global epidemic months of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus on a 5° by 5° grid. The systematic review in this study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018091628. FINDINGS: We initally identified 37 335 eligible studies. Of 21 065 studies remaining after exclusion of duplicates, 1081 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which 185 were identified as eligible. We included 246 sites for influenza virus, 183 sites for respiratory syncytial virus, 83 sites for parainfluenza virus, and 65 sites for metapneumovirus. Influenza virus had clear seasonal epidemics in winter months in most temperate sites but timing of epidemics was more variable and less seasonal with decreasing distance from the equator. Unlike influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus had clear seasonal epidemics in both temperate and tropical regions, starting in late summer months in the tropics of each hemisphere, reaching most temperate sites in winter months. In most temperate sites, influenza virus epidemics occurred later than respiratory syncytial virus (by 0·3 months [95% CI -0·3 to 0·9]) while no clear temporal order was observed in the tropics. Parainfluenza virus epidemics were found mostly in spring and early summer months in each hemisphere. Metapneumovirus epidemics occurred in late winter and spring in most temperate sites but the timing of epidemics was more diverse in the tropics. Influenza virus epidemics had shorter duration (3·8 months [3·6 to 4·0]) in temperate sites and longer duration (5·2 months [4·9 to 5·5]) in the tropics. Duration of epidemics was similar across all sites for respiratory syncytial virus (4·6 months [4·3 to 4·8]), as it was for metapneumovirus (4·8 months [4·4 to 5·1]). By comparison, parainfluenza virus had longer duration of epidemics (6·3 months [6·0 to 6·7]). Our model had good predictability in the average epidemic months of influenza virus in temperate regions and respiratory syncytial virus in both temperate and tropical regions. Through leave-one-out cross validation, the overall prediction error in the onset of epidemics was within 1 month (influenza virus -0·2 months [-0·6 to 0·1]; respiratory syncytial virus 0·1 months [-0·2 to 0·4]). INTERPRETATION: This study is the first to provide global representations of month-by-month activity of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus. Our model is helpful in predicting the local onset month of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus epidemics. The seasonality information has important implications for health services planning, the timing of respiratory syncytial virus passive prophylaxis, and the strategy of influenza virus and future respiratory syncytial virus vaccination. FUNDING: European Union Innovative Medicines Initiative Respiratory Syncytial Virus Consortium in Europe (RESCEU).
BACKGROUND: Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus are the most common viruses associated with acute lower respiratory infections in young children (<5 years) and older people (≥65 years). A global report of the monthly activity of these viruses is needed to inform public health strategies and programmes for their control. METHODS: In this systematic analysis, we compiled data from a systematic literature review of studies published between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2017; online datasets; and unpublished research data. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported laboratory-confirmed incidence data of human infection of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, or metapneumovirus, or a combination of these, for at least 12 consecutive months (or 52 weeks equivalent); stable testing practice throughout all years reported; virus results among residents in well-defined geographical locations; and aggregated virus results at least on a monthly basis. Data were extracted through a three-stage process, from which we calculated monthly annual average percentage (AAP) as the relative strength of virus activity. We defined duration of epidemics as the minimum number of months to account for 75% of annual positive samples, with each component month defined as an epidemic month. Furthermore, we modelled monthly AAP of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus using site-specific temperature and relative humidity for the prediction of local average epidemic months. We also predicted global epidemic months of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus on a 5° by 5° grid. The systematic review in this study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018091628. FINDINGS: We initally identified 37 335 eligible studies. Of 21 065 studies remaining after exclusion of duplicates, 1081 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which 185 were identified as eligible. We included 246 sites for influenza virus, 183 sites for respiratory syncytial virus, 83 sites for parainfluenza virus, and 65 sites for metapneumovirus. Influenza virus had clear seasonal epidemics in winter months in most temperate sites but timing of epidemics was more variable and less seasonal with decreasing distance from the equator. Unlike influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus had clear seasonal epidemics in both temperate and tropical regions, starting in late summer months in the tropics of each hemisphere, reaching most temperate sites in winter months. In most temperate sites, influenza virus epidemics occurred later than respiratory syncytial virus (by 0·3 months [95% CI -0·3 to 0·9]) while no clear temporal order was observed in the tropics. Parainfluenza virus epidemics were found mostly in spring and early summer months in each hemisphere. Metapneumovirus epidemics occurred in late winter and spring in most temperate sites but the timing of epidemics was more diverse in the tropics. Influenza virus epidemics had shorter duration (3·8 months [3·6 to 4·0]) in temperate sites and longer duration (5·2 months [4·9 to 5·5]) in the tropics. Duration of epidemics was similar across all sites for respiratory syncytial virus (4·6 months [4·3 to 4·8]), as it was for metapneumovirus (4·8 months [4·4 to 5·1]). By comparison, parainfluenza virus had longer duration of epidemics (6·3 months [6·0 to 6·7]). Our model had good predictability in the average epidemic months of influenza virus in temperate regions and respiratory syncytial virus in both temperate and tropical regions. Through leave-one-out cross validation, the overall prediction error in the onset of epidemics was within 1 month (influenza virus -0·2 months [-0·6 to 0·1]; respiratory syncytial virus 0·1 months [-0·2 to 0·4]). INTERPRETATION: This study is the first to provide global representations of month-by-month activity of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus. Our model is helpful in predicting the local onset month of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus epidemics. The seasonality information has important implications for health services planning, the timing of respiratory syncytial virus passive prophylaxis, and the strategy of influenza virus and future respiratory syncytial virus vaccination. FUNDING: European Union Innovative Medicines Initiative Respiratory Syncytial Virus Consortium in Europe (RESCEU).
Objectives: To better target new vaccines and treatments being developed for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (influenza), we studied the association of age with prevalence, diagnostic features and course of illness of these infections in primary care patients. Methods: Secondary analysis of observational data on the aetiology, diagnosis and prognosis in adults presenting to primary care with acute cough in 12 European countries (2007-2010) using regression analyses corrected for clustering of patients within countries. Age groups were 18-59 years, 60-74 years, and 75 years and older (75+). Results: Nasopharyngeal swabs for 144 (4.6%), 169 (5.4%) and 104 (3.4%) out of 3104 patients were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive for RSV, influenza A and influenza B, respectively. RSV prevalence in patients 75+ (8.5%) was twice the prevalence in those under 60 years (4.2%). Influenza prevalence was not associated with age. Diagnostic features for these viruses were not associated with age. Symptom duration was associated with age for RSV and influenza B, but not for influenza A. The odds of unresolved symptoms after 28 days were associated with age for RSV only. Illness deterioration was associated with age for RSV, with patients 75+ at increased risk, but not for influenza. Conclusion: In adults presenting to primary care with acute cough, the diagnostic features of RSV or influenza infection are not associated with age. For RSV both the prevalence and illness course are significantly worse at higher age, for influenza only the illness course is. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases. ; RB is funded as a postdoctoral researcher by the Research Foundation -Flanders (FWO). SC, CB, NH, PB and HG are members of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Consortium in Europe (RESCUE). RESCUE has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement no. 116019. NH acknowledges support from the University of Antwerp scientific chair in Evidence-Based Vaccinology, financed in 2009-2020 by a gift from Pfizer and in 2016-2019 from GSK. The GRACE project was funded by the European Community's Sixth Framework Programme (grant agreement 518226). Work in the UK was also supported by the National Institute for Health Research. Work in Barcelona was also supported by 2009 SGR 911 Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias (Ciberes CB06/06/0028). Work in Belgium was also supported by the Methusalem financing programme of the Flemish Government and by FWO (G.0274.08N). This work was also supported through the European Science Foundation (ESF), in the framework of the Research Networking Programme TRACE (www.esf.org/trace). ; Bruyndonckx, R (corresponding author), Hasselt Univ, DSI, Martelarenlaan 42, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium. robin.bruyndonckx@uhasselt.be
