Microbiological Diagnosis and Importance of Infections Caused by Influenzae-A Virus

Influenza is one of the commonest acute viral respiratory infections with a great potential for spreading as an epidemic or pandemic appearance.
Until 2009 relevant data about types and subtypes of influenza viruses circulated in Republic of Macedonia, did not exist.
Since pandemic in 2009, molecular method RT-PCR was introduced real time detection of types and subtypes of influenza viruses, which enabled continuously and accurate follow up.
Flu differ in types and subtypes presence in each new season, with great influence on number of patients and deaths caused by influenza viral infections.
In season 2009/2010 - type Influenza A dominated, subtype A (H1N1) pdm. Total number of 54.343 cases were registered and 30 deaths.
In season 2010/2011 – co-circulated types of Influenza A and Influenza B, with small domination of subtype A (H1N1) pdm. Total number of 27.635 cases were registered and 17 deaths.
In season 2011/2012 - dominant was type Influenza A, subtype A (H3N2). Total number of 9.732 cases were registered and only one case of death.
In season 2012/2013 - co-circulated types of Influenza A and Influenza B, with domination of subtype A (H1N1) pdm. Total number of 24.524 were registered, no deaths.
In season 2013/2014 - co-circulated types of Influenza A and Influenza B, with domination of subtype A (H3N2). Total number of 29.074 were registered and 12 deaths.
In season 2014/2015 - dominant was type Influenza B, and also Influenza A subtype A(H3N2) circulated. Total number of reported cases was 33.228, no deaths.
In season 2015/2016 - Influenza A, subtype A(H1N1) pdm was dominant. During same period, type Influenza B, subtype Victoria was detected as well. Total number of reported cases was 29.094 and 2 deaths.
In season 2016/2017 - type Influenza A, subtype A/H3, was dominant. Total number of reported cases was 35.079 and 2 deaths.
In season 2017/2018 година – simultaneously circulation of types Influenza А and Influenza B, with domination of lineage B/Yamagata. Total number of 23.954 cases were registered, no deaths.
In season 2018/2019 - highest number of cases were caused by type Influenza A subtype A(H1) pdm, in co-circulation with Influenza А(H3). Total number of reported cases was 21.404 and 29 deaths, that present the highest number of deaths in correlation with number of diseased.

Key words: virus, influenza, Influenza А, Influenza B, subtype, type, RT-PCR.