title: Phylogenesis and Clinical Aspects of Pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection.
abstract: During the spring of 2009, a new influenza A (H1N1) virus of swine origin emerged and spread worldwide causing a pandemic influenza. Here, 329 naso-pharyngeal swabs collected from patients with flu-like symptoms were analyzed by real-time PCR for the presence of H1N1 2009 pandemic virus. Twenty-five samples collected from immunocompetent and immunodepressed patients contained the H1N1 pandemic virus. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes showed no obvious differences in terms of similarity and/or homology between the sequences identified in immunocompetent individuals and those obtained from immunocompromised patients. Pre-existing clinical conditions may influence the outcome of H1N1 disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciccozzi
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Babakir-Mina
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lo Presti
authors.forename: Fabbio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marcuccilli
authors.forename: Carlo Federico
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Perno
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciotti