title: Detection of influenza B viruses with reduced sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitor in Morocco during 2014/15 season.
abstract: We monitored phenotypic and genotypic susceptibility of influenza viruses circulating in Morocco during 2014-2015 to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Throat and nasal swab specimens were collected from outpatients (with influenza-like illness) and inpatients (with severe acute respiratory illness) and tested for influenza viruses using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were inoculated in MDCK cells and virus phenotypic susceptibility to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) was assessed using fluorescent NA inhibition. Of 440 specimens, 135 were positive for influenza B Yamagata-like virus, 38 were A(H1N1)pdm09 and 25 were A(H3N2). Sixty influenza B viruses isolated from MDCK cells showed no significant resistance to NAIs. However, two of these strains, B/Morocco/176H/2015 and B/Morocco/CP10/2015, showed reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir. The two influenza B viruses with reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir show that ongoing NAI susceptibility surveillance is essential.
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Centre, Institut National d'Hygiène, Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco; Department of Biology, Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed V- Agdal, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Elfalki
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Centre, Institut National d'Hygiène, Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ihazmad
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Centre, Institut National d'Hygiène, Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bimouhen
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Centre, Institut National d'Hygiène, Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Regragui
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Centre, Institut National d'Hygiène, Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benkaroum
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed V- Agdal, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bakri
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Centre, Institut National d'Hygiène, Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barakat
mesh_terms: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009018:Morocco; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012621:Seasons; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009439:Neuraminidase