Genetic analysis and evaluation of the reassortment of influenza B viruses isolated in Taiwan during the 2004-2005 and 2006-2007 epidemics

Virus Res. 2008 Feb;131(2):243-9. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.09.014. Epub 2007 Nov 9.

Abstract

Influenza B viruses were predominant in Taiwan during the 2004-2005 epidemic and both Victoria and Yamagata lineage viruses co-circulated. A reassortant influenza B virus that contained a Victoria lineage hemagglutinin (HA) gene and Yamagata lineage neuraminidase (NA) gene appeared first in 2002 and became predominant during the 2004-2005 epidemic. During the 2006-2007 epidemic, an influenza B outbreak occurred in Taiwan and only Victoria lineage viruses circulated. We characterized the viruses isolated in the 2006-2007 epidemic and found that the HA genes of influenza B viruses from that epidemic were highly similar to those from the 2004-2005 epidemic. We also analyzed the NA genes of isolates from the 2006-2007 epidemic and found that they all belonged to the Yamagata lineage and formed a new genetic subclade. Comparison of isolates from the 2004-2005 and 2006-2007 epidemics revealed four substitutions, N220K, E320D, K343R and E404K in NA genes. Although the HA sequences from the 2006-2007 epidemic were similar to those from the 2004-2005 epidemic, the NA sequences differed, suggesting distinct patterns of evolution of the HA and NA genes from 2004-2007 in Taiwan. This study emphasizes that the evolution of the NA genes may contribute to reemergence of influenza B viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / genetics
  • Humans
  • Influenza B virus / classification*
  • Influenza B virus / genetics*
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Taiwan / epidemiology
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • NA glycoprotein, Influenza B virus
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • hemagglutinin HA1, influenza B virus

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EF621726
  • GENBANK/EF621727
  • GENBANK/EF621728
  • GENBANK/EF621729
  • GENBANK/EF621730
  • GENBANK/EF621731
  • GENBANK/EF621732
  • GENBANK/EF621733
  • GENBANK/EF621734
  • GENBANK/EF621735
  • GENBANK/EF621736
  • GENBANK/EF621737
  • GENBANK/EF621738
  • GENBANK/EF621739
  • GENBANK/EF621740
  • GENBANK/EF621741
  • GENBANK/EF621742
  • GENBANK/EF621743
  • GENBANK/EF621744
  • GENBANK/EF621745
  • GENBANK/EF621746
  • GENBANK/EF621747
  • GENBANK/EF621748
  • GENBANK/EF621749
  • GENBANK/EF621750
  • GENBANK/EF621751
  • GENBANK/EF621752
  • GENBANK/EF621753