Molecular Epidemiology of A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 Influenza Virus during a Single Epidemic Season in the United States
2008

Study of Influenza A Virus Spread in the US

Sample size: 353 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Martha I. Nelson, Laurel Edelman, David J. Spiro, Alex R. Boyne, Jayati Bera, Rebecca Halpin, Elodie Ghedin, Mark A. Miller, Lone Simonsen, Cecile Viboud, Edward C. Holmes

Primary Institution: Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University

Hypothesis

To determine the spatial and temporal dynamics of influenza A virus during a single epidemic season.

Conclusion

The study found that multiple clades of influenza A viruses co-circulated in the US during the 2006-2007 season, revealing complex patterns of spread.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study analyzed 353 whole-genome sequences of influenza A viruses.
  • Phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple clades co-circulating in the US.
  • The research highlighted the complexity of influenza virus spread during the epidemic.

Takeaway

This study looked at how the flu virus spread across the US in one season and found that many different types of the virus were moving around together.

Methodology

Phylogenetic analysis of whole-genome sequences of 284 A/H1N1 and 69 A/H3N2 viruses collected across the continental US.

Potential Biases

Potential underrepresentation of areas with high international travel.

Limitations

Geographical biases in sampling may have affected the observed patterns of spread.

Participant Demographics

Viruses were collected from patients across 33 localities in 18 US states.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.ppat.1000133

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