Evolution of the haemagglutinin gene of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus isolated in Hong Kong, 2009–2011

G C Mak; C K Leung; K C Cheng; K Y Wong; W Lim

doi:10.2807/ese.16.09.19807-en

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Evolution of the haemagglutinin gene of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus isolated in Hong Kong, 2009–2011

G C Mak¹, C K Leung¹, K C Cheng¹, K Y Wong¹, W Lim¹
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Affiliations: ¹ Virology Division, Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Correspondence:
W Lim
wllim pacific.net.hk
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Citation style for this article: Mak G C, Leung C K, Cheng K C, Wong K Y, Lim W. Evolution of the haemagglutinin gene of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus isolated in Hong Kong, 2009–2011. Euro Surveill. 2011;16(9):pii=19807. https://doi.org/10.2807/ese.16.09.19807-en Received: 24 Feb 2011; Accepted:

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin (HA) gene shows that the influenza A(H1N1)2009 viruses collected in Hong Kong clustered in two main branches characterised by the E391E and E391K amino acids. The main branch E391K evolved in two sub-branches with N142D and S202T mutations that first appeared in March and July 2010, respectively, with the latter becoming the predominant strain. These genetic variants that emerged display similar antigenic characteristics. Concurrent with genetic surveillance, laboratories should continue monitoring the circulating viruses antigenically.