Molecular characterization of influenza virus circulating in Nepal in the year 2019

Abstract

Influenza (sometimes referred to as “flu”) is a contagious viral infection of the airways in the lungs that affects a significant portion of the world's population. Clinical symptoms of influenza virus infections can range widely, from severe pneumonia to moderate or even asymptomatic sickness. If left untreated, influenza can have more severe effects on the heart, brain, and lungs than on the respiratory tract and can necessitate hospitalization. This study was aimed to investigate and characterize all types of influenza cases prevailing in Nepal and to analyze seasonal occurrence of Influenza in Nepal in the year 2019. A cross sectional, retrospective and descriptive study was carried out at National Influenza Center (NIC), National Public Health Laboratory Kathmandu Nepal for the period of one year (Jan–Dec 2019). A total of 3606 throat swab samples from various age groups and sexes were processed at the NIC. The specimens were primarily stored at 4 °C and processed using ABI 7500 RT PCR system for the identification of Influenza virus types and subtypes. Data accessed for research purpose were retrieved from National Influenza Centre (NIC) on 1st Jan 2020. Of the total 3606 patients suspected of having influenza infection, influenza viruses were isolated from 1213 (33.6%) patients with male predominance. The highest number of infection was caused by Influenza A/Pdm09 strain 739 (60.9%) followed by Influenza B 304 (25.1%) and Influenza A/H3 169 (13.9%) and most remarkable finding of this study was the detection of H5N1 in human which is the first ever case of such infection in human from Nepal. Similar to other tropical nations, influenza viruses were detected year-round in various geographical locations of Nepal. The influenza virus type and subtypes that were in circulation in Nepal were comparable to vaccine candidate viruses, which the currently available influenza vaccine may prevent.