Lack of correlation between nutritional status and seroprotection against influenza in a long term care facility.
We conducted a prospective study in a long-term care facility. Virologic diagnosis was assessed using viral isolation, polymerase chain reaction and serology for all patients with a flu-like syndrome. Albumin, vitamins and trace elements were also measured.


RESULTS
The risk of influenza increased 6.5-fold in patients with an antibody titer of 40 during the influenza outbreak (P=0.04). Micronutrients and vitamins deficiencies were important. Patients with antibody titer >1:40 could still be infected by the virus without correlation with the nutritional status.


CONCLUSIONS
Humoral protection with a titer >1:40 might not be protective in the elderly. Nutritional deficiencies were too prevalent to detect any effect on the results.
Paccalin
Marc
M
Geriatrics Department, University Hospital of Poitiers, 86021 Poitiers cedex, France. m.paccalin@chu-poitiers.fr
Plouzeau
Chloé
C
Bouche
Gauthier
G
Guillard
Olivier
O
Beby-Defaux
Agnès
A
Mauco
Gérard
G
Agius
Gérard
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007252:Influenza Vaccines