Significant circulation of influenza B viruses mismatching the recommended vaccine-lineage in South Korea, 2007–2014. Issue 35 (23rd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noh, Ji Yun; Choi, Won Suk; Song, Joon Young; Lee, Han Sol; Lim, Sooyeon; Lee, Jacob; Seo, Yu Bin; Lee, Jin-Soo; Wie, Seong-Heon; Jeong, Hye Won; Heo, Jung Yeon; Kim, Young Keun; Park, Kyung Hwa; Kim, Shin Woo; Lee, Sun Hee; Lee, Jung Hwa; Kim, Dong Hyun; Woo, Sung Il; Lim, Chae Seung; Cho, Kyung Soon; Cheong, Hee Jin; Kim, Woo Joo
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 36:Issue 35(2018)
• Page Start: 5304
• Page End: 5308
• Publication Date: 2018-08-23
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Influenza B virus; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.07.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: During the 2007–2014 seasons, influenza B epidemics were substantial in 4 seasons. The lineages of influenza B viruses in South Korea were investigated. Rate of lineage mismatch of vaccine and circulating influenza B viruses was 41.7%. QIV may improve the vaccine effectiveness, especially in the high-risk groups. Abstract: We aimed to characterize the lineages of influenza B viruses obtained from clinical specimens during the 2007–2014 seasons in South Korea. RT-PCR for the partial hemagglutinin gene of influenza B virus was performed on laboratory-confirmed influenza B samples from the 2007–2008 season to 2013–2014 season. A phylogenetic tree was generated, and current influenza vaccine strains for the Northern Hemisphere were used as representative strains of Victoria and Yamagata lineages. A total of 571 influenza B virus sequences were analyzed. During the 2009–2010 season, most of the circulating influenza B viruses matched the vaccine strain; 91.0% (91/100) of viruses belonged to the Victoria lineage. In the 2007–2008, 2011–2012, and 2013–2014 seasons, co-circulation of each influenza B lineage was found with a match ratio to the vaccine strain of 53.2% (42/79), 40.9% (63/154), and 58.3% (134/230), respectively. Overall, 41.7% (238/571) of the circulating influenza B viruses belonged to the lineage mismatching the vaccine strain. During the seven influenza seasons, influenza B epidemics were substantial in four seasons in South Korea. Significant mismatches of the vaccine and lineage of the circulating influenza B viruses were found. The current trivalent influenza vaccine may not be fully suitable for effective protection against influenza B.