Open AccessMolecular Evidence of Transmission of Influenza A/H1N1 2009 on a University Campus
Author(s) -
Ramandeep Kaur Virk,
Vithiagaran Gunalan,
Hong Kai Lee,
Masafumi Inoue,
Catherine Chua,
Bernard C. Y. Tan,
Paul Anantharajah Tambyah
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0168596
Subject(s) - pandemic , transmission (telecommunications) , preparedness , molecular epidemiology , biology , virology , evolutionary biology , geography , covid-19 , medicine , genetics , genotype , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , gene , telecommunications , disease , pathology , political science , law
Background In the recent years, the data on the molecular epidemiology of influenza viruses have expanded enormously because of the availability of cutting-edge sequencing technologies. However, much of the information is from the temperate regions with few studies from tropical regions such as South-east Asia. Despite the fact that influenza has been known to transmit rapidly within semi-closed communities, such as military camps and educational institutions, data are limited from these communities. Objectives To determine the phylogeography of influenza viruses on a university campus, we examined the spatial distribution of influenza virus on the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus. Methods Consenting students from the NUS who sought medical attention at the UHC provided two nasopharyngeal swabs and demographic data. PCR was used for detection of influenza viruses. 34 full-genomes of pH1N1/09 viruses were successfully sequenced by Sanger method and concatenated using Geneious R7. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using these 34 sequences and 1518 global sequences. Phylogeographic analysis was done using BaTS software and Association index and Fitch parsimony scores were determined. Results Integrating whole genome sequencing data with epidemiological data, we found strong evidence of influenza transmission on campus as isolates from students residing on-campus were highly similar to each other (AI, P value = 0.009; PS, P value = 0.04). There was also evidence of multiple introductions from the community. Conclusions Such data are useful in formulating pandemic preparedness plans which can use these communities as sentinel sites for detection and monitoring of emerging respiratory viral infections.