Seroepidemiological analysis of influenza pandemics in Shizuoka Prefecture and all Japan

Abstract

1) Seroepidemiological analysis of influenza pandemics (1986 -2003) in Shizuoka Prefecture and all Japan revealed differences in geographical, annual, seasonal, and age distributions.(2) For 17 years, the pandemics generally began at the 50th week every year showing over 1.0 patient/clinic, reached the peak at 5th week the following year, and ended over 10 -15th week. Two big A/H3N2 pandemics were seen in 1989/1990 and 1997/1998 seasons, claiming over 1 million patients in Japan. (3) As herald strains, A/H3N2 strains (A/Sydney-like) were found in October 1999, and B strains (B/Victoria-and B/Yamagata-like) were detected in July and November 1998 and, in August and December 2000 in Shizuoka. B/Shizuoka/1/98 strain was registered internationally as a vaccine-recommended strain. (4) A/H3N2 and B viruses were detected in 55 -78% of flu patients (almost under 10 years) with encephalopathy in 1999/2000 and 78 -91% in 2000/ 2001 by MDCK and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. (5) High hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers over 40 in 250 persons were shown against A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2), A/Yokohama/8/98 (H3N2), A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2) and A/Moscow/10/99 (H1N1) strains, while low titers showed against A/Beijing/262/95 (H1N1) and A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), and B/Beijing/243/97, B/Shangdong/7/97 and B/Yamanashi/106/98 strains in 1998 -2000.(6) In anti-HA titers against A/H3N2, A/H1N1 and B subtypes, clear generation gaps were observed between children (0 -19 years), adults (20 -59 years) and old men (over 60 years). (7) The pandemics are dependent on host immunity (acquired and vaccinated) and climatic conditions (low temperature, low humidity and limited rainfall), considering highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses (A/H5N1, A/H7N7) like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) corona virus in 2002 -

Current scenario of COVID-19 in pediatric age group and physiology of immune and thymus response

“…A study published by Miyamoto et al (2004), reported that pandemic disease is dependent on acquired/vaccinated immunity and weather conditions that are catastrophic to several viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (Miyamoto et al, 2004). The less effect of COVID-19 on children is not because of vaccines, as there is no significant cross reactivity against SARS-CoV, which indicates that decreased symptoms of SARS-CoV in children may be attributed to other reasons (Yu et al, 2007).…”

Seroepidemiological analysis of influenza pandemics in Shizuoka Prefecture and all Japan

“…(1) The early detection of herald strains like B/Shizuoka/1/98 strain in interpandemic periods every year is very important for vaccine-candidated strains and those productive supply in the following seasons [1][2][3]. (2) Low anti-HA antibody (HI) titers under 10 in massive prevention suggest that the next pandemics due to new avian subtypes, e.g., H5N1 in Hong Kong, H7N7 in the Netherlands and other highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) also could be predicted for a world-scale outbreak in the near future among unvaccinated population [1][2][3].…”

“…Furthermore, virological, serological and genetic analyses were done with regard to (1) pathogen's information -mainly the viral subtypes (vaccine, herald and pandemic/ endemic strains) and (2) patient's information-mainly percentage (%) of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers of Shizuoka Prefectural people in order to serve the prediction of usual and new (avian) types of influenza pandemics -interpandemics in the near future in all Japan. (B) The following results [1][2][3] were clarified from viral and serological analyses of influenza pandemics in Japan:…”

Can secondary lymphoid organs exert a favorable effect on the mild course of COVID-19 in children?

“…Although the immune system developed via vaccination is effective against pandemic diseases, the lack of an effective vaccine against COVID-19 so far, suggests the presence of other defense mechanisms against COVID-19 in children [ 7 ]. In this editorial, we want to discuss a theory, which has not been mentioned before.…”