Antigenic and molecular characterization of unusual strains of influenza A detected in Cuba during two consecutive seasons (1984-1985 and 1985-1986)

Suset Oropesa Fernández; Ángel Goyenechea Hernández; Lourdes Sánchez Álvarez; Clara Savón Valdés; Odalys Valdés Ramírez; Mayra Muné Jiménez; Amely Arencibia García; Grehete González Muńoz; Bárbara Espinosa Hernández; Guelsys Gonzalez Baéz; Rosmery Roque Arrieta

2018, Number 2

Rev Cubana Med Trop 2018; 70 (2)

Antigenic and molecular characterization of unusual strains of influenza A detected in Cuba during two consecutive seasons (1984-1985 and 1985-1986)

Oropesa FS, Goyenechea HÁ, Sánchez ÁL, Savón VC, Valdés RO, Muné JM, Arencibia GA, González MG, Espinosa HB, González BG, Roque AR

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: genetic changes which frequently occur in influenza viruses A and B and affect the antigenic sites of surface glycoproteins (hemagglutinin and neuraminidase) lie at the base of influenza epidemics and pandemics, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates.
Objective: carry out an antigenic and molecular characterization into type and subtype of 10 strains of influenza type A isolated in Cuba during two consecutive seasons (1984-1985 and 1985-1986).
Methods: use was made of hemagglutination inhibition techniques and a reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction molecular assay.
Results: characterization of the study influenza strains as subtype A(H3N2) was confirmed by both techniques. All were similar to pandemic strain A/Hong Kong/1/68.
Conclusion: the ten influenza strains circulating in Cuba during the seasons 1984-85 and 1985-86 were found to have an antigenic structure similar to that of pandemic strain A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2).