Factors associated with influenza vaccination failure and severe disease in a French region in 2015

Abstract

Current influenza vaccination strategy is based on limited analyses of circulating strains and has some drawbacks, as illustrated during the 2014–2015 season with the circulation of A(H3N2) viruses belonging to divergent genetic subgroups. We reasoned that these strains, poorly neutralized in vitro, may have been associated with vaccination failure and more severe diseases. We conducted a study on a continuous series of 249 confirmed influenza infections. Incidence was three fold greater than in the previous three years. Most isolates were A(H3N2) viruses (78%) and clustered in subgroups 3C.2a (57%) and 3C.3b (43%). We identified 23 non-synonymous mutations that had already been identified during previous seasons at low frequencies, except mutation Q197H, present in 26% of 3C.3b isolates. We identified lung disorder, tobacco smoking and A(H1N1)pdm09 infection as risk factor of severe influenza disease. In contrast, young age (< 5 years), A(H3N2) infection and initial admission to an emergency department were associated with a better outcome of influenza infection.

Co-infection with avian hepatitis E virus and avian leukosis virus subgroup J as the cause of an outbreak of hepatitis and liver hemorrhagic syndromes in a brown layer chicken flock in China

“…However, HEV RNA was also detected in apparently healthy chickens, arousing suspicion that avian HEV may not be the sole causative agent of clinical disease ( Sun et al., 2004 ). Moreover, additional host factors that include stress, hormonal, or immune status, as well as other disease conditions, might also contribute to causation of disease outbreaks ( Marlet et al., 2018 ). In this report, mixed infection with avian HEV and ALV-J was described in a Hy-line layer flock suffering from decreased (10–30%) egg production, increased (1–3%) mortality rate, liver hemorrhage, necrosis, and hepatomegaly.…”

Built‐in RNA‐mediated chaperone (chaperna) for antigen folding tailored to immunized hosts

“…Influenza viruses circulate among the human population, and the continual emergence of genetically drifting strains necessitates annual vaccination. Moreover, the licensure of seasonal vaccines requires a potency test for vaccine lots each year (Houser & Subbarao, 2015; Marlet, Gaudy‐Graffin, Marc, Boennec, & Goudeau, 2018; Organization, 2017). Humans are still vulnerable to pandemics, as exemplified by the 2009 pdmH1N1 virus; therefore, improved vaccines and better therapeutic modalities are required (Newman et al, 2008; Shinde et al, 2009).…”