Open AccessLaboratory-Based Surveillance and Molecular Epidemiology of Influenza Virus in Taiwan
Author(s) -
Shin Ru Shih,
Guang-Wu Chen,
Ching Chun Yang,
Weng Zhi Yang,
Ding-Ping Liu,
Jih Hui Lin,
Shu Chun Chiu,
Haur Young Chen,
Kuo Chien Tsao,
Chung Guei Huang,
YeuShiang Huang,
Chee Keng Mok,
Chi-Jene Chen,
Tzou Yien Lin,
Jen Ren Wang,
Chuan-Liang Kao,
Kwei Hsian Lin,
LiKuang Chen,
Hock Liew Eng,
Yung Ching Liu,
Po Yen Chen,
Jen Shiou Lin,
Jen Hsien Wang,
Cheng Wen Lin,
Yu Jiun Chan,
Jang Jih Lu,
Chao A. Hsiung,
PeiJer Chen,
Ih Jen Su
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.43.4.1651-1661.2005
Subject(s) - virology , biology , seasonal influenza , virus , influenza a virus , epidemiology , orthomyxoviridae , molecular epidemiology , influenzavirus b , veterinary medicine , disease , genotype , medicine , infectious disease (medical specialty) , covid-19 , genetics , pathology , gene
A laboratory-based surveillance network of 11 clinical virological laboratories for influenza viruses was established in Taiwan under the coordination of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Taiwan. From October 2000 to March 2004, 3,244 influenza viruses were isolated, including 1,969 influenza A and 1,275 influenza B viruses. The influenza infections usually occurred frequently in winter in the northern hemisphere. However, the influenza seasonality in Taiwan was not clear during the four seasons under investigation. For example, the influenza A viruses peaked during the winters of 2001, 2002, and 2003. However, some isolated peaks were also found in the summer and fall (June to November) of 2001 and 2002. An unusual peak of influenza B also occurred in the summer of 2002 (June to August). Phylogenetic analysis shows that influenza A isolates from the same year were often grouped together. However, influenza B isolates from the year 2002 clustered into different groups, and the data indicate that both B/Victoria/2/87-like and B/Yamagata/16/88-like lineages of influenza B viruses were cocirculating. Sequence comparison of epidemic strains versus vaccine strains shows that many vaccine-like Taiwanese strains were circulating at least 2 years before the vaccine strains were introduced. No clear seasonality of influenza reports in Taiwan occurred in contrast to other more continental regions.