The Open Virology Journal

2012, 6 : 59-63
Published online 2012 April 26. DOI: 10.2174/1874357901206010059
Publisher ID: TOVJ-6-59

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 Genome Stability of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Based on Analysis of Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Genes

Emilio E Espínola, *
Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay

* Address correspondence to this author at the Rio de la Plata y Lagerenza, CP 1120 Asunción, Paraguay; Tel: +595 21 424 520; Fax: +595 21 480 185; E-mail: emilioespinola@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

Influenza A virus (H1N1), which arose in 2009, constituted the fourth pandemic after the cases of 1918, 1957, and 1968. This new variant was formed by a triple reassortment, with genomic segments from swine, avian, and human influenza origins. The objective of this study was to analyze sequences of hemagglutinin (n=2038) and neuraminidase (n=1273) genes, in order to assess the extent of diversity among circulating 2009-2010 strains, estimate if these genes evolved through positive, negative, or neutral selection models of evolution during the pandemic phase, and analyze the worldwide percentage of detection of important amino acid mutations that could enhance the viral performance, such as transmissibility or resistance to drugs. A continuous surveillance by public health authorities will be critical to monitor the appearance of new influenza variants, especially in animal reservoirs such as swine and birds, in order to prevent the potential animal-human transmission of viruses with pandemic potential.

Keywords:

Genome Stability, Hemagglutinin, Neuraminidase, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009, Respiratory Disease, Swine Flu..