The Open Virology Journal
2011, 5 : 22-26Published online 2011 April 7. DOI: 10.2174/1874357901105010022
Publisher ID: TOVJ-5-22
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Phylogenesis and Clinical Aspects of Pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection
1
Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanita’, Rome, Italy
2 Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Foundation Polyclinic Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81- 00133, Rome, Italy
3 Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemistry, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
* Address correspondence to this author at the Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Foundation Polyclinic Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81-00133, Rome, Italy; Tel.: +39 06 20902087; Fax: +39 06 20902078; E-mail: marco.ciotti@ptvonline.it
2 Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Foundation Polyclinic Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81- 00133, Rome, Italy
3 Virology, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemistry, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
* Address correspondence to this author at the Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Foundation Polyclinic Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81-00133, Rome, Italy; Tel.: +39 06 20902087; Fax: +39 06 20902078; E-mail: marco.ciotti@ptvonline.it
ABSTRACT
During the spring of 2009, a new influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine origin emerged and spread worldwide causing a pandemic influenza. Here, 329 naso-pharyngeal swabs collected from patients with flu-like symptoms were analyzed by real-time PCR for the presence of H1N1 2009 pandemic virus. Twenty-five samples collected from immunocompetent and immunodepressed patients contained the H1N1 pandemic virus. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes showed no obvious differences in terms of similarity and/or homology between the sequences identified in immunocompetent individuals and those obtained from immunocompromised patients. Pre-existing clinical conditions may influence the outcome of H1N1 disease.