Molecular Epidemiology Of Human Influenza Viruses In Thessaly During 2014-2015

Influenza virus genotypes circulating in the Thessaly region of central Greece during the 2014-15 season were identified as genetically and antigenically similar to vaccine like viruses. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses were detected and isolated during December January and early February in 63% of the total number of positive for Influenza A and B samples. Influenza B viruses were detected and isolated during February and March 2015. There was found 100% correlation between rt-RT-PCR and cell culture results in the samples assayed. Sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin gene segment revealed a 97% homology to reference viruses in Genbank. These findings support the need for continuous influenza surveillance and underline the importance of influenza vaccine formulation according to the antigenic profile of circulating viral strains.