Adult influenza A (H3N2) with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir or peramivir cured after switching anti-influenza agents

We describe two adults with A/H3N2 influenza with (patient 1), and without (patient 2) polymerase acidic (PA) subunit 138 T substitution during the same season. Patient 1 had a reduced clinical response to baloxavir, a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor (CEI), but was cured by peramivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor. Baloxavir was clinically effective for patient 2, for whom peramivir had been ineffective. Susceptibility to baloxavir can be decreased by a PA unit mutation, but response to treatment can be increased by switching and/or combination with a neuraminidase inhibitor, even though CEI are clinically effective against influenza in adults. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.