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In-field detection and characterization of B/Victoria lineage deletion variant viruses causing early influenza activity and an outbreak in Louisiana, 2019
  • +10
  • Shu Bo,
  • Malania Wilson,
  • Matthew Keller,
  • Ha Tran,
  • Theresa Sokol,
  • Grace Lee,
  • Benjamin Rambo-Martin,
  • Marie Kirby,
  • Norman Hassel,
  • Danielle Haydel,
  • Julie Hand,
  • David Wentworth,
  • John Barnes
Shu Bo
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Malania Wilson
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Matthew Keller
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Ha Tran
Louisiana Department of Health
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Theresa Sokol
Louisiana Department of Health
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Grace Lee
Louisiana Department of Health
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Benjamin Rambo-Martin
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Marie Kirby
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Norman Hassel
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Danielle Haydel
Louisiana Department of Health
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Julie Hand
Louisiana Department of Health
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David Wentworth
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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John Barnes
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Corresponding Author:fzq9@cdc.gov

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Abstract

In 2019, the Louisiana Department of Health reported an early influenza B/Victoria (B/VIC) virus outbreak. As it was an atypically large outbreak, we deployed to Louisiana to investigate it using genomics and a triplex real-time RT-PCR assay to detect three antigenically distinct B/VIC lineage variant viruses. The investigation indicated that B/VIC V1A.3 subclade, containing a three amino acid deletion in the hemagglutinin and known to be antigenically distinct to the B/Colorado/06/2017 vaccine virus, was the most prevalent circulating virus within the specimens tested. This work underscores the value of portable diagnostics and sequencing platforms for rapid, onsite pathogen characterization.
13 Oct 2023Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
16 Oct 2023Submission Checks Completed
16 Oct 2023Assigned to Editor
23 Oct 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Nov 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor