Molecular genetics features of the epidemic season 2017-2018 on the influenza in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Influenza viruses are a constant global public health problem. Virological surveillance of influenzais an important tool for the early detection of new genetic variants of viruses of epidemiological andclinical significance.The purpose of this study is to determine the molecular genetic characteristics of influenza viruses circulating in Kazakhstan during the 2017-2018 epidemiological season. gene sequences of twelvestrains of influenza A virus (subtype H1N1pdm09-9, subtype H3N2-3) and ten strains of influenza Bvirus (genotype B / Victoria-2, genotype B / Yamagata-8) were studied in non-licensing sites of the republic. According to phylogenetic analysis, all the sequenced influenza A / H1N1pdm09 strains belonged toclade 6B.1. Influenza A / H3N2 viruses were distinguished by significant genetic diversity – the studiedviruses belonged to several phylogenetic groups and subgroups, with a predominance of viruses similarto the vaccine strain. It was found that the majority of the detected influenza B viruses in Kazakhstanbelonged to the B / Yamagata lineage and belonged to clade 3. The results of this study confirm theimportance of continuous monitoring of mutational variability and phylogenetic analysis of circulatingstrains in the selection of vaccine strains for specific prevention of influenza and antiviral drugs.Key words: influenza virus, molecular genetic analysis, phylogenetic analysis, vaccine strai