Differentiation of influenza B lineages circulating in different regions of Brazil, 2014-2016, using molecular assay.

Background: Two antigenically and genetically distinct lineages of influenza B viruses (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata) have been co-circulating worldwide since 2002. Virological surveillance is essential to differentiate between both lineages with a view to the annual updating of the B component for the trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine composition. Methods: The samples analyzed in the present study were collected by influenza sentinel units located in the Southeast, Midwest, North, and Northeast regions of Brazil, part of the National Influenza Virus Surveillance Network, coordinated by the Ministry of Health of Brazil. A total of 870 influenza B positive samples by reverse transcription real - time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), collected during 2014, 2015, and 2016 influenza seasons, were submitted to the influenza B lineage genotyping panel for characterization as B/Yamagata or Victoria lineages using RT-qPCR. Results: Of the 197 samples analyzed in 2014, a total of 160 (81 %) corresponded to the B/Yamagata lineage, 19 (10 %) to the B/Victoria lineage, and 18 (9 %) to indeterminate lineages. Of the 190 samples analyzed in 2015, a total of 124 (65 %) corresponded to the B/Yamagata lineage; 55 (29 %) to the B/Victoria lineage, whereas 11 (6 %) were of indeterminate lineages. Of the 483 samples analyzed in 2016, a total of 297 (62 %) corresponded to the B /Victoria lineage; 174 (36 %) to the B/Yamagata lineage and 12 (2 %) to indeterminate lineages. This cross-sectional study revealed influenza B virus (IBV) infection in all age groups, and among them, the highest prevalence was observed in individuals between 11 and 49 years of age Our findings demonstrate the match between influenza B virus lineages recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the trivalent vaccine composition to be used in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) and the predominant circulating viruses during the 2014, 2015, and 2016 seasons.

Molecular epidemiology of influenza A(H1N1)PDM09 hemagglutinin gene circulating in São Paulo State , Brazil: 2016 anticipated influenza season.

Compared to previous years, seasonal influenza activity commenced early in São Paulo State, Brazil, Southern hemisphere during the 2016 year. In order to investigate the genetic pattern of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in the State of Sao Paulo a total of 479 respiratory samples, collected in January by Sentinel Surveillance Units, were screened by real-time RT-PCR. A total of 6 Influenza viruses A(H1N1)pdm09 presenting ct values ≤ 30 were sequenced following phylogenetic analysis. The present study identified the circulation of the new 6B.1 subgroup (A/Sao Paulo/10-118/2016 and A/Sao Paulo/3032/2016). In addition, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 group 6B has also been identified during January in the State of Sao Paulo. Despite amino acid changes and changes in potential glycosylation motifs, 6B.1 viruses were well inhibited by the reference ferret antiserum against A/California/07/2009 virus, the A(H1N1)pdm09 component of the vaccine for the 2016 influenza season.

Mumps virus genotypes identified during disease outbreaks in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: 2011-2016 / Genótipos dos vírus da caxumba identificados durantesurtos da doença no estado de São Paulo, Brasil: 2011 - 2016

In São Paulo the mumps virus (MuV) outbreaks have been increasing from In São Paulo the mumps virus (MuV) outbreaks have been increasing from 2011 to nowadays. MuV epidemiological surveillance has been improving by using the polymerase chain reaction in real time (rRT-PCR) in addition to the specific IgM antibody (IgM-Ab) detection; in some cases,genome sequencing studies were performed. Increased virus transmission and recent outbreakshave raised interest on MuV genotyping, as a means to understand the transmission pathways andto identify the vaccine-associated cases. From January 2011 to August 2016, MuV infection was analyzed at Institute Adolfo Lutz. A total of 232 (77.33 %) throat wash samples showed positivity to mumps genome, and 68 (22.66 %) were negative when analyzed by rRT-PCR. Among 15 samples for molecular analysis, 10 serum samples from respective patients were also available for detecting anti-MuV IgM-Ab; and from these, four (40%) samples were seropositive. Vaccination statuswas available only for patients from Cedral and Araraquara. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of the following mumps virus genotypes in the investigated periods: 2011(M), 2012, and 2013 (K); 2014 (N); 2015 (G, K, and N); 2016 (G). Knowledge on MuV molecular epidemiology in São Paulo-Brazil could contribute to the surveillance and epidemiological program in Brazil, and globally as well.

No estado de São Paulo têm ocorrido surtos de caxumba desde 2011. O diagnóstico laboratorialtem sido realizado no Instituto Adolfo Lutz utilizando-se a técnica de identificação de material genético viral por meio de reação de cadeia de polimerase-em tempo real (rRT-PCR) e peladetecção de anticorpos IgM (Ac-IgM) específicos circulantes. Os recentes surtos de caxumbatêm aumentado o interesse em investigar os genótipos dos vírus prevalentes para identificaros casos associadas à vacina. De janeiro de 2011 a agosto de 2016, 300 amostras de lavadosda orofaringe coletadas de pacientes suspeitos de infecção foram analisadas. O material genéticoviral específico foi detectado em 232 (77,33 %) amostras e 68 (22,66 %) foram negativas.Das 10 amostras analisadas pelo teste sorológico, quatro (40 %) demonstraram positividadepara Ac-IgM específicos anti-vírus da caxumba e seis foram negativas. Somente os municípios Cedral e Araraquara forneceram os dados referentes à vacinação. Análise filogenética mostroua circulação dos seguintes genótipos do vírus da caxumba no período investigado: 2011 (M),2012 e 2013 (K); 2014 (N); 2015 (GKN); 2016 (G). A vigilância virológica é mundialmente imprescindível, para identificar a diversidade e a distribuição dos diferentes genótipos, com vistasà composição de vacinas específicas.

Mumps virus genotypes identified during disease outbreaks in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: 2011 – 2016 / Genótipos dos vírus da caxumba identificados durante surtos da doença no estado de São Paulo, Brasil: 2011 - 2016

In São Paulo the mumps virus (MuV) outbreaks have been increasing from 2011 to nowadays. MuV epidemiological surveillance has been improving by using the polymerase chain reaction in real time (rRT-PCR) in addition to the specific IgM antibody (IgM-Ab) detection; in some cases, genome sequencing studies were performed. Increased virus transmission and recent outbreaks have raised interest on MuV genotyping, as a means to understand the transmission pathways and to identify the vaccine-associated cases. From January 2011 to August 2016, MuV infection was analyzed at Institute Adolfo Lutz. A total of 232 (77.33 %) throat wash samples showed positivity to mumps genome, and 68 (22.66 %) were negative when analyzed by rRT-PCR. Among 15 samples for molecular analysis, 10 serum samples from respective patients were also available for detecting anti-MuV IgM-Ab; and from these, four (40%) samples were seropositive. Vaccination status was available only for patients from Cedral and Araraquara. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the circulation of the following mumps virus genotypes in the investigated periods: 2011(M), 2012, and 2013 (K); 2014 (N); 2015 (G, K, and N); 2016 (G). Knowledge on MuV molecular epidemiology in São Paulo-Brazil could contribute to the surveillance and epidemiological program in Brazil, and globally as well.

No estado de São Paulo têm ocorrido surtos de caxumba desde 2011. O diagnóstico laboratorial tem sido realizado no Instituto Adolfo Lutz utilizando-se a técnica de identificação de material genético viral por meio de reação de cadeia de polimerase-em tempo real (rRT-PCR) e pela detecção de anticorpos IgM (Ac-IgM) específicos circulantes. Os recentes surtos de caxumba têm aumentado o interesse em investigar os genótipos dos vírus prevalentes para identificar os casos associadas à vacina. De janeiro de 2011 a agosto de 2016, 300 amostras de lavados da orofaringe coletadas de pacientes suspeitos de infecção foram analisadas. O material genético viral específico foi detectado em 232 (77,33 %) amostras e 68 (22,66 %) foram negativas. Das 10 amostras analisadas pelo teste sorológico, quatro (40 %) demonstraram positividade para Ac-IgM específicos anti-vírus da caxumba e seis foram negativas. Somente os municípios Cedral e Araraquara forneceram os dados referentes à vacinação. Análise filogenética mostrou a circulação dos seguintes genótipos do vírus da caxumba no período investigado: 2011 (M), 2012 e 2013 (K); 2014 (N); 2015 (GKN); 2016 (G). A vigilância virológica é mundialmente imprescindível, para identificar a diversidade e a distribuição dos diferentes genótipos, com vistas à composição de vacinas específicas.

The dilemma of influenza vaccine recommendations when applied to the tropics: the Brazilian case examined under alternative scenarios.

Since 1999 the World Health Organization issues annually an additional influenza vaccine composition recommendation. This initiative aimed to extend to the Southern Hemisphere (SH) the benefits-previously enjoyed only by the Northern Hemisphere (NH)--of a vaccine recommendation issued as close as possible to the moment just before the onset of the influenza epidemic season. A short time between the issue of the recommendation and vaccine delivery is needed to maximize the chances of correct matching between putative circulating strains and one of the three strains present in the vaccine composition. Here we compare the effectiveness of the SH influenza vaccination adopted in Brazil with hypothetical alternative scenarios defined by different timings of vaccine delivery and/or composition. Scores were based on the temporal overlap between vaccine-induced protection and circulating strains. Viral data were obtained between 1999 and 2007 from constant surveillance and strain characterization in two Brazilian cities: Belém, located at the Equatorial region, and São Paulo, at the limit between the tropical and subtropical regions. Our results show that, among currently feasible options, the best strategy for Brazil would be to adopt the NH composition and timing, as in such case protection would increase from 30% to 65% (p<.01) if past data can be used as a prediction of the future. The influenza season starts in Brazil (and in the equator virtually ends) well before the SH winter, making the current delivery of the SH vaccination in April too late to be effective. Since Brazil encompasses a large area of the Southern Hemisphere, our results point to the possibility of these conclusions being similarly valid for other tropical regions.