Rapid selection of a transmissible multidrug-resistant influenza A/H3N2 virus in an immunocompromised host.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The overall impact of influenza virus infection in immunocompromised patients is largely unknown. Antigenic drift and genetic variations during prolonged influenza infection have been demonstrated. In this report we describe a multidrug-resistant H3N2 influenza virus isolated from an immunocompromised patient after 5 days of therapy.

Methods

Multiple nasal wash samples were collected from an infected patient, and viral isolates were characterized. Sensitivity to antiviral agents was evaluated. Fitness and transmissibility were assessed in ferrets and tissue culture.

Results

An in-frame 4-amino acid deletion emerged in the neuraminidase (NA) gene of an H3N2 virus after 5 days of oseltamivir therapy. No other changes in the NA or hemagglutinin genes were note

SUBMITTER: Memoli MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2851491 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature