title: Severe sensitivity loss in an influenza A molecular assay due to antigenic drift variants during the 2014/15 influenza season.
abstract: The 2014-2015 influenza season in Belgium was dominated by the circulation of 2 influenza A(H3N2) subgroups: 3C.2a and 3C.3b. Analysis of 166 nasopharyngeal aspirates, collected in patients with respiratory illness at the start of the epidemic season, showed a decreased sensitivity for the detection of influenza A(H3N2)/3C.2a using a commercially available multiplex assay. Gene sequencing of the matrix protein showed a point mutation (C163T) leading to a mismatch with the assay probes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yarah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Overmeire
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vanlaere
authors.affiliation: National Reference Center for Influenza, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Engelandstraat 642, 1180 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anneleen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hombrouck
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis, Moorselbaan 164, 9300 Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Beenhouwer
authors.affiliation: PathoFinder B.V., Randwycksingel 45, 6229 EG Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Guus
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.affiliation: PathoFinder B.V., Randwycksingel 45, 6229 EG Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brink
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Van den Abeele
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verfaillie
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, AZ Sint-Lucas, Groenebriel 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Jos.VanAcker@azstlucas.be.
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Acker
mesh_terms: D000940:Antigenic Variation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: Antigenic drift; Influenza; Laboratory; Laboratory surveillance; Molecular methods