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High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
Influenza surveillance in Pune, India, 2003
B L Rao1, L R Yeolekar, S S Kadam
1National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.
Insights
Influenza surveillance in Pune, India, identified 37 viruses, primarily in children. Twenty-three influenza A (H3N2) and 14 influenza B viruses were isolated during the 2003 study.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Influenza remains a significant global health concern, necessitating ongoing surveillance to understand circulating strains.
- Pediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to influenza infections, highlighting the need for age-specific epidemiological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct influenza surveillance in Pune, India, during 2003.
- To identify and characterize influenza virus types and subtypes circulating in a predominantly pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Collection of 763 respiratory specimens (throat/nasal swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates) from pediatric and adult patients.
- Isolation of influenza viruses using Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell cultures.
- Identification and subtyping of isolates using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test.
Main Results:
- A total of 37 influenza viruses were isolated.
- Twenty-three isolates were influenza A (H3N2) and 14 were influenza B (Yamagata lineage).
- Influenza viruses were detected in both children (29) and adults (8).
Conclusions:
- Influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) were the predominant strains circulating in Pune, India, in 2003.
- The findings underscore the importance of continued influenza surveillance, especially in pediatric populations, for informing public health strategies.
Abstract:
Influenza surveillance was conducted in Pune, India in 2003. A total of 573 throat swabs/ nasal swabs (TS/NS) and 190 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected from 763 in- and out-patients who were mostly children aged 0-16 years. TS/NS (507/573) and NPA (42/190) specimens were processed in MDCK cell cultures and identified with the hemagglutination inhibition test (HI). A total of 37 influenza viruses was isolated: twenty-three type A (H3N2) and 14 type B of the Yamagata lineage were isolated from 29 children and 8 adults. Three type A (H3N2) isolates were characterized as being similar to A/Panama/2007/99 like, A/Korea/770/2000 like, and B/Sichuan/379/99 like strains.
