Exploring the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of influenza A virus in Taiwan

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 16;8(4):e61957. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061957. Print 2013.

Abstract

The evolution and population dynamics of human influenza in Taiwan is a microcosm of the viruses circulating worldwide, which has not yet been studied in detail. We collected 343 representative full genome sequences of human influenza A viruses isolated in Taiwan between 1979 and 2009. Phylogenetic and antigenic data analysis revealed that H1N1 and H3N2 viruses consistently co-circulated in Taiwan, although they were characterized by different temporal dynamics and degrees of genetic diversity. Moreover, influenza A viruses of both subtypes underwent internal gene reassortment involving all eight segments of the viral genome, some of which also occurred during non-epidemic periods. The patterns of gene reassortment were different in the two subtypes. The internal genes of H1N1 viruses moved as a unit, separately from the co-evolving HA and NA genes. On the other hand, the HA and NA genes of H3N2 viruses tended to segregate consistently with different sets of internal gene segments. In particular, as reassortment occurred, H3HA always segregated as a group with the PB1, PA and M genes, while N2NA consistently segregated with PB2 and NP. Finally, the analysis showed that new phylogenetic lineages and antigenic variants emerging in summer were likely to be the progenitors of the epidemic strains in the following season. The synchronized seasonal patterns and high genetic diversity of influenza A viruses observed in Taiwan make possible to capture the evolutionary dynamic and epidemiological rules governing antigenic drift and reassortment and may serve as a "warning" system that recapitulates the global epidemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Molecular Epidemiology / methods*
  • Taiwan / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Centers for Diseases Control, Taiwan (grant DOH96-DC2402) and in part by Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan (grant MMH-9925 and -10017). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.