Detection of Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza A (H1N1) Viruses with H274Y Mutation during the 2007 - 2008 Influenza Season in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: In the beginning of the 2007-2008 influenza season in Northern Hemisphere, the frequency of influenza A (H1N1) viruses bearing a previously defined oseltamivir resistance increased dramatically. This is conferring to the amino acid exchange from histidine to tyrosine at position 274 (H274Y) in neuraminidase (NA) gene. The overall frequency of oseltamivir resistance in influenza A (H1N1) strains in Europe was reported as being 25%. Although it varied between countries, it was shown that the highest percentage was in Norway (67%), and the lowest was in Spain (2%). In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the oseltamivir resistance in influenza A H1N1 isolates from Turkey during the 2007-2008 influenza season.