Severe sensitivity loss in an influenza A molecular assay due to antigenic drift variants during the 2014/15 influenza season

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2016 May;85(1):42-6. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.02.004. Epub 2016 Mar 7.

Abstract

The 2014-2015 influenza season in Belgium was dominated by the circulation of 2 influenza A(H3N2) subgroups: 3C.2a and 3C.3b. Analysis of 166 nasopharyngeal aspirates, collected in patients with respiratory illness at the start of the epidemic season, showed a decreased sensitivity for the detection of influenza A(H3N2)/3C.2a using a commercially available multiplex assay. Gene sequencing of the matrix protein showed a point mutation (C163T) leading to a mismatch with the assay probes.

Keywords: Antigenic drift; Influenza; Laboratory; Laboratory surveillance; Molecular methods.

MeSH terms

  • Antigenic Variation / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / classification
  • Influenza A virus / genetics*
  • Influenza A virus / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / standards*
  • Mutation
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Viral
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Seasons
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic