PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF NEURAMINIDASE GENE OF INFLUENZA A(H3N2) VIRUSES ISOLATED IN UKRAINE IN 2013–2014 SEASON

Abstract

Influenza remains a serious problem for the world. The accumulation of genetic changes (mutations) in influenza viruses leads to changes in their antigenic properties, the emergence of strains resistant to antiviral drugs and the emergence of new epidemics. The aim of recent study was to perform the phylogenetic analysis of neuraminidase gene of influenza A(H3N2) viruses isolated in Ukraine in 2013–2014 season. Methods. Molecular genetics, phylogenetic and statistical methods were used for this study. Results. High (94%) genetic similarity of Ukrainian isolates and isolates from other countries of 2013–2014 epidemic seasons demonstrates the stability of viral populations in Ukraine. The allocation of Ukrainian viruses to three different clusters points to different ways of their spread to Ukraine. The analysis of NA sequences revealed novel amino acid substitutions Y155F, D251V, S315G to the majority of Ukrainian isolates. None of virus isolates of season 2013–2014 in Ukraine contained an E119D mutation in NA sequence which is associated with oseltamivir resistance. Conclusions. The results of our work showed that influenza viruses isolated in 2013–2014 epidemic season had not specific mutations, associated with resistance to antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir.

Keywords

• вірус грипу
• грип
• філогенетичний аналіз