Whole-Genome Analysis of Influenza A(H3N2) and B/Victoria Viruses Detected in Myanmar during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021
Irina Chon,
Reiko Saito,
Yadanar Kyaw,
Moe Myat Aye,
Swe Setk,
Wint Wint Phyu,
Keita Wagatsuma,
Jiaming Li,
Yuyang Sun,
Teruhime Otoguro,
Su Mon Kyaw Win,
Sayaka Yoshioka,
Nay Chi Win,
Lasham Di Ja,
Htay Htay Tin,
Hisami Watanabe
Affiliations
Irina Chon
Division of International Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Reiko Saito
Division of International Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Yadanar Kyaw
Respiratory Medicine Department, Thingangyun General Hospital, Yangon 110-71, Myanmar
Moe Myat Aye
National Health Laboratory, Department of Medical Services, Dagon Township, Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Swe Setk
National Health Laboratory, Department of Medical Services, Dagon Township, Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Wint Wint Phyu
Division of International Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Keita Wagatsuma
Division of International Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Jiaming Li
Division of International Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Yuyang Sun
Division of International Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Teruhime Otoguro
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Su Mon Kyaw Win
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Sayaka Yoshioka
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Nay Chi Win
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Lasham Di Ja
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University in Myanmar (IDRC), Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Htay Htay Tin
National Health Laboratory, Department of Medical Services, Dagon Township, Yangon 111-91, Myanmar
Hisami Watanabe
Infectious Diseases Research Center of Niigata University (IDRC), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
An influenza circulation was observed in Myanmar between October and November in 2021. Patients with symptoms of influenza-like illness were screened using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits, and 147/414 (35.5%) upper respiratory tract specimens presented positive results. All RDT-positive samples were screened by a commercial multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and 30 samples positive for influenza A(H3N2) or B underwent further typing/subtyping for cycle threshold (Ct) value determination based on cycling probe RT-PCR. The majority of subtyped samples (n = 13) were influenza A(H3N2), while only three were B/Victoria. Clinical samples with low Ct values obtained by RT-PCR were used for whole-genome sequencing via next-generation sequencing technology. All collected viruses were distinct from the Southern Hemisphere vaccine strains of the corresponding season but matched with vaccines of the following season. Influenza A(H3N2) strains from Myanmar belonged to clade 2a.3 and shared the highest genetic proximity with Bahraini strains. B/Victoria viruses belonged to clade V1A.3a.2 and were genetically similar to Bangladeshi strains. This study highlights the importance of performing influenza virus surveillance with genetic characterization of the influenza virus in Myanmar, to contribute to global influenza surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
