Screening for markers of resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors of influenza A virus subtype N8

Abstract

Influenza vaccination and treatment with antiviral drugs reduces the risk of getting sick and spreading the flu. Antivirals are needed at the initial stage of an influenza outbreak. To date, the neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir are the main available therapeutic options for combating infections caused by the influenza virus. Acquisition of resistance by avian influenza viruses to neuraminidase inhibitors due to amino acid substitutions in neuraminidase (NA) is a major public health problem. Determining the susceptibility of influenza viruses to currently available immune response inhibitors is an important part of surveillance research and risk assessment for pandemic preparedness. In the amino acid composition of the NA of the Kazakh strain A/wild goose/Kostanai/KZ/83/2021 (H5N8) of the 2021 season avian influenza virus, the G147V amino acid substitution, known to be associated with a decrease in the sensitivity of the influenza virus to the neuraminidase inhibitor zanamivir, was identified. The identified G147V mutation in the NA of the Kazakh strain A/wild goose/Kostanai/KZ/83/2021 (H5N8) of the avian influenza virus, located in the active center of the protein, can affect the biological properties of the virus. No other substitutions that cause a decrease in the sensitivity of influenza A(H5N8) viruses to the action of neuraminidase inhibitors were found.

Keywords: influenza virus, subtype, neuraminidase inhibitors, amino acid substitution.