Zheng X, Cao F, Yu Y, Yu X, Zhou Y, Cheng S, Qiu X. The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity. Viruses. 2025; 17(4):526
This study examined the genetic and evolutionary features of influenza A/H3N2 viruses in Hangzhou (2010–2022) by analyzing 28,651 influenza-like illness samples from two sentinel hospitals. Influenza A/H3N2 coexisted with other subtypes, dominating seasonal peaks (notably summer). Whole-genome sequencing of 367 strains was performed on GridION platforms. Phylogenetic analysis showed they fell into 16 genetic groups, with multiple clades circulating simultaneously. Shannon entropy indicated HA, NA, and NS gene segments exhibited significantly higher variability than other genomic segments, with HA glycoprotein mutations concentrated in antigenic epitopes A–E. Antiviral resistance showed no inhibitor resistance mutations in PA, PB1, or PB2, but NA mutations were detected in some strains, and most strains harbored M2 mutations. A Bayesian molecular clock showed the HA segment exhibited the highest nucleotide substitution rate (3.96 × 10?3 substitutions/site/year), followed by NA (3.77 × 10?3) and NS (3.65 × 10?3). Selective pressure showed A/H3N2 strains were predominantly under purifying selection, with only sporadic positive selection at specific sites. The Pepitope model demonstrated that antigenic epitope mismatches between circulating H3N2 variants and vaccine strains led to a significant decline in influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE), particularly in 2022. Overall, the study underscores the complex circulation patterns of influenza in Hangzhou and the global importance of timely vaccine strain updates.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- T cell help is a limiting factor for rare anti-influenza memory B cells to reenter germinal centers and generate potent broadly neutralizing antibodies 20 hours ago
- Wild birds drive the introduction, maintenance, and spread of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in Spain, 2021-2022 20 hours ago
- [preprint]FluNexus: a versatile web platform for antigenic prediction and visualization of influenza A viruses 21 hours ago
- Salpingitis and multiorgan lesions caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a cat associated with consumption of recalled raw milk in California 21 hours ago
- Detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus 2.3.4.4b in alpacas 21 hours ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


