Genome characterization, molecular evolution and antibody response against influenza a virus in Thailand

Abstract

The continuously sporadic outbreaks of influenza A virus in human and animal populations have impacts on public health problems and economic lost. Previous studies found that influenza virus has high mutation rates in antigenic drift process and antigenic shift process, which is the major cause of epidemic of influenza A virus worldwide. Epidemiological study, molecular evolution and immunological response in host cell against influenza A virus infection will be essential for evaluation and surveillance for being well-prepared and be able to control the current outbreak or future outbreaks. This study aimed to perform the genomic characterization, phylogenetic analysis, and mutational trend of influenza A virus circulated in Thailand, including the study of repid test efficiency used in influenza A detection and the study of antibody response against influenza virus infection in Thai population. The study found that the human pandemic influenza virus H1N1 is the major influenza A virus circulation in Thailand during 2009-2012, which expressed in 3 peaks with the continuous and gradual mutation, while each clade of virus expressed some significant mutation points, which may affect the virus pathogenesis and transmission process. The rapid test used in influenza virus infection should be evaluated for the accuracy due to the gradual mutation. This study also found that influenza A virus infection will cause the antibody response in human which can be detected by using Haemagglutination Inhibition Test (HI) or Microneutralization (MN) assay which should be assessed before perform the test.