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Commentary
H1N1
D225G/N In Recent Australia and New Zealand Cases
Recombinomics
Commentary 01:11
August 24, 2010
Further evolution was seen in the four sequences from Christchurch collected between July 5 and 12 from at least two locations (Rakai and Timaru). The most evolved sequence, A/Christchurch/16/2010 (from a 20M), had D225N as well as five additional non-synonymous changes, signaling rapid evolution. All four Christchurch sequences were closely related to each other and had evolved from the Australian sequences. This rapid evolution signals adaptation away from host defenses developed against last season’s vaccine or infections.
The presence of D225G and D225N in the recent isolates raises concerns that these polymorphisms are circulating at higher frequencies than last year. D225G has been strongly linked to severe or fatal cases and an increase frequency in the southern hemisphere can herald similar changes in the northern hemisphere in the upcoming season. The current pandemic target is unchanged from last season, raising concerns that the efficacy of the vaccine will be reduced.
Increases in D225G and D225N were seen at the end of last season and the presence of D225G/N in 2 of the 5 most recent sequences from the southern hemisphere is cause for concern.
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