The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity
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 seque...
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2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/4/526 |
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| author | Xueling Zheng Feifei Cao Yue Yu Xinfen Yu Yinyan Zhou Shi Cheng Xiaofeng Qiu Lijiao Ao Xuhui Yang Zhou Sun Jun Li |
| author_facet | Xueling Zheng Feifei Cao Yue Yu Xinfen Yu Yinyan Zhou Shi Cheng Xiaofeng Qiu Lijiao Ao Xuhui Yang Zhou Sun Jun Li |
| author_sort | Xueling Zheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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<sup>−3</sup> substitutions/site/year), followed by NA (3.77 × 10<sup>−3</sup>) and NS (3.65 × 10<sup>−3</sup>). 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cdb007b6de714ee89de8a1fcd42a5aa5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-cdb007b6de714ee89de8a1fcd42a5aa52025-08-20T02:18:16ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-04-0117452610.3390/v17040526The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic DiversityXueling Zheng0Feifei Cao1Yue Yu2Xinfen Yu3Yinyan Zhou4Shi Cheng5Xiaofeng Qiu6Lijiao Ao7Xuhui Yang8Zhou Sun9Jun Li10Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaHangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Hangzhou Health Supervision Institution), Hangzhou 310002, ChinaThis 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<sup>−3</sup> substitutions/site/year), followed by NA (3.77 × 10<sup>−3</sup>) and NS (3.65 × 10<sup>−3</sup>). 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/4/526influenza A/H3N2whole-genome sequencingphylogenetic analysisShannon entropyantiviral resistanceBayesian molecular clock |
| spellingShingle | Xueling Zheng Feifei Cao Yue Yu Xinfen Yu Yinyan Zhou Shi Cheng Xiaofeng Qiu Lijiao Ao Xuhui Yang Zhou Sun Jun Li The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity Viruses influenza A/H3N2 whole-genome sequencing phylogenetic analysis Shannon entropy antiviral resistance Bayesian molecular clock |
| title | The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity |
| title_full | The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity |
| title_fullStr | The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity |
| title_short | The Ongoing Epidemics of Seasonal Influenza A(H3N2) in Hangzhou, China, and Its Viral Genetic Diversity |
| title_sort | ongoing epidemics of seasonal influenza a h3n2 in hangzhou china and its viral genetic diversity |
| topic | influenza A/H3N2 whole-genome sequencing phylogenetic analysis Shannon entropy antiviral resistance Bayesian molecular clock |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/4/526 |
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