Haemagglutinin D222G mutation found in a fatal case of pandemic (H1N1) flu in Tunisia

Awatef El Moussi*, Juan Ledesma, Mohamed Ali Ben Hadj Kacem, Francisco Pozo, Maria Teresa Cuevas, Moncef Hamdoun, Inmaculada Casas, Pilar Perez-Breña, Amine Slim

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, the D222G substitution was observed in the HA of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 viruses isolated from fatal cases in several countries. We made a similar observation in one fatal case in Tunisia showing a D222G substitution in a virus isolate. The man was 47 years old and had no other subjacent pathologies or any known risk factors. He died after three days, suffering from severe respiratory symptoms of flu. The causal link of the D222G substitution in Tunisia with virulence must be verified. Further study is warranted to elucidate the intriguing relationship between the D222G substitution and severe disease. Constant molecular surveillance is important to monitor the pathogenicity of circulating strains and evaluate vaccine efficacy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1813-1814
Number of pages2
JournalArchives of Virology
Volume157
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2012
Externally publishedYes

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