Genetic content of Influenza H3N2 vaccine seeds

Influenza vaccine seeds produced in chicken eggs are selected through HA and NA surface glycoproteins antigenicity, as well as through high replicative ability. Here we characterize the genetic content of recently used thirteen H3N2 influenza vaccine seeds. Interestingly, sequence analysis of the vaccine seeds shows reassortment events leading to PR8:H3N2 segment constellations, ranging from the 6:2 to 2:6 constellations. This study shows that the H3N2 PB1 is the most frequent internal segment incorporated in the tested vaccines seeds.

A new common mutation in the hemagglutinin of the 2009 (H1N1) influenza A virus

As the 2009 (H1N1) influenza A virus continues evolving, most mutations appear geographically and temporally confined. However, the latest surveillance data suggests emergence of a new prominent mutation, E391K, in the hemagglutinin (HA) that is globally on the rise. Interestingly, when modelled in the context of the available HA crystal structure, this mutation could alter salt bridge patterns and stability in a region of the HA oligomerization interface that is important for membrane fusion and also a known antigenic site. We discuss occurrence of HA-E391K in global surveillance data and associated clinical phenotypes from Singapore ranging from mostly mild to few severe symptoms, including sporadic vaccine failure. More clinical and experimental data are needed to determine if this mutation could alter the biology and fitness of the virus or if its increased occurrence is due to founder effects.

Public preparedness guidance for a severe influenza pandemic in different countries: a qualitative assessment and critical overview

During a severe influenza pandemic individuals and families can, by following well-directed and scientifically-based measures, not only benefit themselves but also play an effective role in reducing transmission rates and the burden on public services. Such guidelines should be provided as clearly and comprehensively as possible by official sources. Here we examine the official recommendations issued by 10 countries to prepare their citizens for a severe pandemic. We have found the presence of hazardous guidelines – as the advice to personally visit a health center at the earliest symptoms – and shortage of practical advices for home isolation, business preparation and treatment to be widespread. Our review shows that, while many positive recommendations were provided, the set of recommendations issued by most countries was not comprehensive enough for severe influenza scenarios. This is a situation that needs revision

Preliminary Estimates of Mortality and Years of Life Lost Associated with the 2009 A/H1N1 Pandemic in the US and Comparison with Past Influenza Seasons

The on-going debate about the health burden of the 2009 influenza pandemic and discussions about the usefulness of vaccine recommendations has been hampered by an absence of directly comparable measures of mortality impact. Here we set out to generate an “apples-to-apples” metric to compare pandemic and epidemic mortality. We estimated the mortality burden of the pandemic in the US using a methodology similar to that used to generate excess mortality burden for inter-pandemic influenza seasons. We also took into account the particularly young age distribution of deaths in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, using the metric “Years of Life Lost” instead of numbers of deaths. Estimates are based on the timely pneumonia and influenza mortality surveillance data from 122 US cities, and the age distribution of laboratory-confirmed pandemic deaths, which has a mean of 37 years. We estimated that between 7,500 and 44,100 deaths are attributable to the A/H1N1 pandemic virus in the US during May-December 2009, and that between 334,000 and 1,973,000 years of life were lost. The range of years of life lost estimates includes in its lower part the impact of a typical influenza epidemic dominated by the more virulent A/H3N2 subtype, and the impact of the 1968 pandemic in its upper bound. We conclude that the 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic virus had a substantial health burden in the US over the first few months of circulation in terms of years of life lost, justifying the efforts to protect the population with vaccination programs. Analysis of historic records from three other pandemics over the last century suggests that the emerging pandemic virus will continue to circulate and cause excess mortality in unusually young populations for the next few years. Continuing surveillance for indicators of increased mortality is of key importance, as pandemics do not always cause the majority of associated deaths in the first season of circulation.

Preliminary estimation of risk factors for admission to intensive care units and for death in patients infected with A(H1N1)2009 influenza virus, France, 2009-2010

To estimate the magnitude of the risks associated with age, obesity, pregnancy and diabetes, we compared the prevalence of these conditions reported in hospitalized severe cases to that in the general population, during the 2009-2010 A(H1N1) pandemic flu in France. Pregnancy, obesity, heart failure and diabetes were risk factors for admission into an intensive care unit (OR=5.2 [95%CI 4.0-6.9], 3.8 [3.0-4.9], 3.3 [2.6-4.1] and 2.8 [2.3-3.4], respectively). Only heart failure, obesity, and diabetes were significantly associated with death (OR=6.9 [4.9-9.8], 3.6 [1.9-6.2], and 3.5 [2.5-5.1], respectively). Elderly adults were at lower risk of being admitted into an ICU, but at higher risk of death.