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Nabakooza G, Galiwango R, Frost SDW, Kateete DP, Kitayimbwa JM. Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Dynamics of Human Influenza Type-A Viruses in Africa: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2022; 10:900. [PMID: 35630344 PMCID: PMC9145646 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic characterization of circulating influenza type-A viruses (IAVs) directs the selection of appropriate vaccine formulations and early detection of potentially pandemic virus strains. However, longitudinal data on the genomic evolution and transmission of IAVs in Africa are scarce, limiting Africa's benefits from potential influenza control strategies. We searched seven databases: African Journals Online, Embase, Global Health, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science according to the PRISMA guidelines for studies that sequenced and/or genomically characterized Africa IAVs. Our review highlights the emergence and diversification of IAVs in Africa since 1993. Circulating strains continuously acquired new amino acid substitutions at the major antigenic and potential N-linked glycosylation sites in their hemagglutinin proteins, which dramatically affected vaccine protectiveness. Africa IAVs phylogenetically mixed with global strains forming strong temporal and geographical evolution structures. Phylogeographic analyses confirmed that viral migration into Africa from abroad, especially South Asia, Europe, and North America, and extensive local viral mixing sustained the genomic diversity, antigenic drift, and persistence of IAVs in Africa. However, the role of reassortment and zoonosis remains unknown. Interestingly, we observed substitutions and clades and persistent viral lineages unique to Africa. Therefore, Africa's contribution to the global influenza ecology may be understated. Our results were geographically biased, with data from 63% (34/54) of African countries. Thus, there is a need to expand influenza surveillance across Africa and prioritize routine whole-genome sequencing and genomic analysis to detect new strains early for effective viral control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Nabakooza
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala 256, Uganda;
- UVRI Centre of Excellence in Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII-Plus), Makerere University, Plot No: 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe 256, Uganda; (R.G.); (J.M.K.)
| | - Ronald Galiwango
- UVRI Centre of Excellence in Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII-Plus), Makerere University, Plot No: 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe 256, Uganda; (R.G.); (J.M.K.)
- Centre for Computational Biology, Uganda Christian University, Plot 67-173, Bishop Tucker Road, P.O. Box 4, Mukono 256, Uganda
- African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences, Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala 256, Uganda
| | - Simon D. W. Frost
- Microsoft Research, Redmond, 14820 NE 36th Street, Washington, DC 98052, USA;
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), University of London, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E7HT, UK
| | - David P. Kateete
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University, Old Mulago Hill Road, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala 256, Uganda;
- UVRI Centre of Excellence in Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII-Plus), Makerere University, Plot No: 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe 256, Uganda; (R.G.); (J.M.K.)
| | - John M. Kitayimbwa
- UVRI Centre of Excellence in Infection and Immunity Research and Training (MUII-Plus), Makerere University, Plot No: 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe 256, Uganda; (R.G.); (J.M.K.)
- Centre for Computational Biology, Uganda Christian University, Plot 67-173, Bishop Tucker Road, P.O. Box 4, Mukono 256, Uganda
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Lagare A, Rajatonirina S, Testa J, Mamadou S. The epidemiology of seasonal influenza after the 2009 influenza pandemic in Africa: a systematic review. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:1514-1536. [PMID: 34394213 PMCID: PMC8351825 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i4.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Influenza infection is a serious public health problem that causes an estimated 3 to 5 million cases and 250,000 deaths worldwide every year. The epidemiology of influenza is well-documented in high- and middle-income countries, however minimal effort had been made to understand the epidemiology, burden and seasonality of influenza in Africa. This study aims to assess the state of knowledge of seasonal influenza epidemiology in Africa and identify potential data gaps for policy formulation following the 2009 pandemic. Method We reviewed articles from Africa published into four databases namely: MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Scientific Research Publishing from 2010 to 2019. Results We screened titles and abstracts of 2070 studies of which 311 were selected for full content evaluation and 199 studies were considered. Selected articles varied substantially on the basis of the topics they addressed covering the field of influenza surveillance (n=80); influenza risk factors and co-morbidities (n=15); influenza burden (n=37); influenza vaccination (n=40); influenza and other respiratory pathogens (n=22) and influenza diagnosis (n=5). Conclusion Significant progress has been made since the last pandemic in understanding the influenza epidemiology in Africa. However, efforts still remain for most countries to have sufficient data to allow countries to prioritize strategies for influenza prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adamou Lagare
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger
| | | | - Jean Testa
- Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, Niger
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Systematic Review of Important Viral Diseases in Africa in Light of the 'One Health' Concept. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040301. [PMID: 32325980 PMCID: PMC7238228 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging and re-emerging viral diseases are of great public health concern. The recent emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) related coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019 in China, which causes COVID-19 disease in humans, and its current spread to several countries, leading to the first pandemic in history to be caused by a coronavirus, highlights the significance of zoonotic viral diseases. Rift Valley fever, rabies, West Nile, chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, and influenza viruses among many other viruses have been reported from different African countries. The paucity of information, lack of knowledge, limited resources, and climate change, coupled with cultural traditions make the African continent a hotspot for vector-borne and zoonotic viral diseases, which may spread globally. Currently, there is no information available on the status of virus diseases in Africa. This systematic review highlights the available information about viral diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, reported in Africa. The findings will help us understand the trend of emerging and re-emerging virus diseases within the African continent. The findings recommend active surveillance of viral diseases and strict implementation of One Health measures in Africa to improve human public health and reduce the possibility of potential pandemics due to zoonotic viruses.
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Rivas MJ, Alegretti M, Cóppola L, Ramas V, Chiparelli H, Goñi N. Epidemiology and Genetic Variability of Circulating Influenza B Viruses in Uruguay, 2012-2019. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8040591. [PMID: 32325860 PMCID: PMC7232498 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8040591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza B viruses (IBV) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality during interpandemic periods in the human population. Two phylogenetically distinct IBV lineages, B/Yamagata and B/Victoria, co-circulate worldwide and they present challenges for vaccine strain selection. Until the present study, there was little information regarding the pattern of the circulating strains of IBV in Uruguay. A subset of positive influenza B samples from influenza-like illness (ILI) outpatients and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) inpatients detected in sentinel hospitals in Uruguay during 2012–2019 were selected. The sequencing of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes showed substitutions at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the co-circulation of both lineages in almost all seasonal epidemics in Uruguay, and allows recognizing a lineage-level vaccine mismatch in approximately one-third of the seasons studied. The epidemiological results show that the proportion of IBV found in ILI was significantly higher than the observed in SARI cases across different groups of age (9.7% ILI, 3.2% SARI) and patients between 5–14 years constituted the majority (33%) of all influenza B infection (p < 0.05). Interestingly, we found that individuals >25 years were particularly vulnerable to Yamagata lineage infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Rivas
- Centro Nacional de Referencia de Influenza, Unidad de Virología, Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (M.J.R.); (L.C.); (V.R.); (H.C.)
| | - Miguel Alegretti
- Departamento de Vigilancia en Salud, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo 11200, Uruguay;
| | - Leticia Cóppola
- Centro Nacional de Referencia de Influenza, Unidad de Virología, Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (M.J.R.); (L.C.); (V.R.); (H.C.)
| | - Viviana Ramas
- Centro Nacional de Referencia de Influenza, Unidad de Virología, Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (M.J.R.); (L.C.); (V.R.); (H.C.)
| | - Héctor Chiparelli
- Centro Nacional de Referencia de Influenza, Unidad de Virología, Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (M.J.R.); (L.C.); (V.R.); (H.C.)
| | - Natalia Goñi
- Centro Nacional de Referencia de Influenza, Unidad de Virología, Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública, Ministerio de Salud, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; (M.J.R.); (L.C.); (V.R.); (H.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +598-99191211
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Owuor DC, Ngoi JM, Otieno JR, Otieno GP, Nyasimi FM, Nyiro JU, Agoti CN, Chaves SS, Nokes DJ. Genetic characterization of influenza A(H3N2) viruses circulating in coastal Kenya, 2009-2017. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2020; 14:320-330. [PMID: 31943817 PMCID: PMC7182596 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Influenza viruses evolve rapidly and undergo immune driven selection, especially in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. We report amino acid changes affecting antigenic epitopes and receptor‐binding sites of A(H3N2) viruses circulating in Kilifi, Kenya, from 2009 to 2017. Methods Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was used to generate A(H3N2) virus genomic data from influenza‐positive specimens collected from hospital admissions and health facility outpatients presenting with acute respiratory illness to health facilities within the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System. Full‐length HA sequences were utilized to characterize A(H3N2) virus genetic and antigenic changes. Results From 186 (90 inpatient and 96 outpatient) influenza A virus‐positive specimens processed, 101 A(H3N2) virus whole genomes were obtained. Among viruses identified in inpatient specimens from 2009 to 2015, divergence of circulating A(H3N2) viruses from the vaccine strains A/Perth/16/2009, A/Texas/50/2012, and A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 formed 6 genetic clades (A/Victoria/208/2009‐like, 3B, 3C, 3C.2a, 4, and 7). Among viruses identified in outpatient specimens from 2015 to 2017, divergence of circulating A(H3N2) viruses from vaccine strain A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 formed clade 3C.2a, subclades 3C.2a2 and 3C.2a3, and subgroup 3C.2a1b. Several amino acid substitutions were associated with the continued genetic evolution of A(H3N2) strains in circulation. Conclusions Our results suggest continuing evolution of currently circulating A(H3N2) viruses in Kilifi, coastal Kenya and suggest the need for continuous genetic and antigenic viral surveillance of circulating seasonal influenza viruses with broad geographic representation to facilitate prompt and efficient selection of influenza strains for inclusion in future influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Collins Owuor
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Joyce M Ngoi
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - James R Otieno
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Grieven P Otieno
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Festus M Nyasimi
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Joyce U Nyiro
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Charles N Agoti
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,School of Health and Human Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Sandra S Chaves
- Influenza Division, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - D James Nokes
- Virus Epidemiology and Control Research Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) - Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,School of Life Sciences and Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
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Badolo A, Burt F, Daniel S, Fearns R, Gudo ES, Kielian M, Lescar J, Shi Y, von Brunn A, Weiss SR, Hilgenfeld R. Third Tofo Advanced Study Week on Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses, 2018. Antiviral Res 2018; 162:142-150. [PMID: 30597184 PMCID: PMC7132404 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The Third Tofo Advanced Study Week on Emerging and Re-Emerging Viruses (3rd TASW) was held in Praia do Tofo, Mozambique, from September 02 to 06, 2018. It brought together 55 participants from 10 African countries as well as from Belgium, China, Germany, Singapore, and the USA. Meeting sessions covered aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis, molecular and structural biology, vaccine development, and antiviral drug discovery for emerging RNA viruses that are current threats in Africa and included flaviviruses (dengue and Zika), alphaviruses (chikungunya), coronaviruses, filoviruses (Ebola), influenza viruses, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Rift Valley fever Virus, Lassa virus, and others. Data were presented on recent flavivirus and/or chikungunyavirus outbreaks in Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. In addition, these viruses are endemic in many sub-Saharan countries. The TASW series on emerging viruses is unique in Africa and successful in promoting collaborations between researchers in Africa and other parts of the world, as well as among African scientists. This report summarizes the lectures held at the meeting and highlights advances in the field. The 3rd Tofo Advanced Study Week on Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses took place from September 2–6, 2018. African attendees came from Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, the CAR, Mozambique, Nigeria, S Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Other participants were from Europe, China, Singapore, and the USA. This unique meeting enabled scientists from Africa and elsewhere to discuss problems and initiate new collaborations. Presentations covered dengue virus, Zika, chikungunya, coronaviruses, Ebola, influenza, Rift Valley fever, CCHF, and RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanase Badolo
- Laboratory of Fundamental and Applied Entomology, University Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
| | - Felicity Burt
- Division of Virology, National Health Laboratory Services and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
| | - Susan Daniel
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Rachel Fearns
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | - Margaret Kielian
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Julien Lescar
- Structural Biology and Biochemistry, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Yi Shi
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Albrecht von Brunn
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Site, Munich, Germany.
| | - Susan R Weiss
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Rolf Hilgenfeld
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg - Lübeck - Borstel - Riems Site, Lübeck, Germany.
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