Journal of Clinical Virology - Volume 82 - Supplement 1 - September 2016

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Abstracts / Journal of Clinical Virology 82S (2016) S1–S142 S121
D68. To analyze and compare the EV-D68 endemics in 2010, 2013,
and 2015 in Osaka City, complete or nearly complete viral genome
sequenceswere determined. Then phylogenetic analyseswere con-
ducted.
Results: Enteroviruses were detected in 119 (5.4%) samples.
Specimens positive for EV-D68 were 18 (0.8%, 18/2215): 4 in 2013
(2.8%, 4/142), 1 in 2014 (0.4%, 1/232), and 13 in 2015 (1.9%, 13/675).
All EV-D68 strains, except for one strain in 2014, were detected
during summer–autumn. About 94% of EV-D68-positive patients
had lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, asthmatic
bronchitis, and pneumonia. Phylogenetic analyses using available
VP1 sequences revealed that EV-D68 strains detected in Osaka City
in 2010, 2013, and 2015 belong to distinct clusters: Clades C, A, and
B, respectively. Genetic clades were named according to an earlier
report [Tokarz et al., J Gen Virol., 2012]. Complete or nearly com-
plete genome sequence determination revealed that Osaka strains
of Clades A, B, and C commonly have deletion corresponding to
nucleic acid positions 681–704 in the 5 untranslated region (UTR)
of the prototype Fermon strain. Both Clades B and C have additional
deleted regions in the 716–727 nt position.
Conclusions: Re-emergence of EV-D68 was observed mainly
in 2013 and 2015 since its first endemic period in 2010 in Osaka
City. Although some specific deleted nucleotide sequence regions
were observed in 5 UTR among three genetic clades compared
with the prototype strain, their functional differences and impor-
tance remain unclear. Genetic differences between EV-D68 strains
in 2010, 2013, and 2015 might contribute to the resurgence of EV-
D68 every few years in the limited geographic region.
Abstract no: 302
Presentation at ESCV 2016: Poster 203
Influenza surveillance during 2015/2016 season
in Portugal
R. Guiomar ∗, P. Pechirra , P. Cristóvão ,
I. Costa , P. Conde , S. Pereira da Silva ,
B. Nunes Rodrigues
1 National Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses
Reference Laboratory, Infectious Diseases
Department, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo
Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
2 Epidemiology Department, National Institute of
Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
Background: The National Influenza Surveillance Program
ensures influenza epidemiological surveillance, integrating clin-
ical and laboratory data. The clinical component describes the
transmissibility over time, the virological component detects and
characterizes influenza virus in circulation. Data is generated
through 2 sentinel surveillance structures, the General Prac-
titioner’s Sentinel Network (since 1990) and the Network of
Emergency Units (since 1999). Here we provide the evaluation of
2015/2016 influenza season in Portugal.
Methods: Influenza-Like illness (ILI) cases were reported to the
National Influenza Reference Laboratory and to the Epidemiology
Department of the National Institute of Health, in the context of
the National Influenza Surveillance Program, from week 39/2015
through week 20/2016. The intensity and duration of the epi-
demic period were described based on the weekly ILI incidence
rates. Nasopharyngeal swabswere collected for influenza and other
respiratory viruses (RV: respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhi-
novirus, metapneumovirus, coronavirus, parainfluenza virus) for
diagnosis and characterization. The detection of influenza and RV
was performed by multiplex real-time RT-PCR. Influenza virus iso-
lation, antigenic analysis (hemagglutination inhibition assay) and
genetic characterization (HA1 gene segment) were performed.
Results: During 2015/2016 season the influenza activity was
low and the epidemic period occurred between week 1/2016 and
9/2016 with a maximum of 59.4 ILI cases per 105 inhabitants in
week 3/2016. No impact on mortality from all causes was observed
in any age group. 1097 nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for
influenza and other respiratory viruses, influenza was detected in
444 (41%) and others respiratory viruses were found in 265 (24%).
The influenza A(H1)pdm09 was predominant (91% of flu confirmed
cases). Influenza B/Victoria was identified sporadically (7% of flu
cases) in late season. A(H1)pdm09 were predominantly detected
in adults aged 15–64. Other respiratory viruses were detected in
influenza negative cases, being rhinovirus (101; 38%) and coro-
navirus (78; 29%) found in higher frequencies. The antigenic and
genetic analysis of circulating influenza A(H1)pdm09 showed simi-
laritywith vaccine strain. Themajority of influenza B virus belonged
to Victoria lineage and clade 1A, dissimilar from 2015/16 vac-
cine strain. Although few A(H3) viruses in circulation, almost all
were similar to strain recommended for next season, 2016/2017,
influenza vaccine. None of the 420 A(H1)pdm09 viruses analysed
showed the H275Y substitution, correlated to high reduced suscep-
tibility to oseltamivir.
Conclusions: Influenza activity during 2015/2016 flu season
was low, that can be linked with a higher influenza activity in
last season and exceptional climatic conditions during the win-
ter (higher temperature than usual). A(H1pdm)09 viruses were
dominant, although in co-circulation with influenza B/Victoria. Sit-
uation that contrasts with European influenza picture, that showed
a late peak of influenza B/Victoria. Influenza A(H1)pdm09 detec-
tions reached the highest percentage in adults (15–64 years old).
Most influenza detected viruses were similar to the 2015/2016 vac-
cine strains, although circulating influenza B/Victoria were from a
different lineage comparing with vaccine strain. Observed mortal-
ity from all causes was within expected values during study period.