title: Detection by microneutralization of antibodies against avian influenza virus in an endemic avian influenza region.
abstract: Detection by microneutralization of low-titre antibodies (anti-H5 micro-NT titre ≤ 1:80) against avian influenza virus (H5N1) is usually taken to be a false-positive result. In this prospective study of 242 intensive-care unit patients admitted for severe community-acquired pneumonia, the prevalence of low-titre anti-H5 micro-NT was 2.4%. Prior exposure to poultry was the sole independent risk factor for these low-titre antibodies (adjusted OR 42.41; 95% CI 22.45-64.51; p <0.001). We suggest that low anti-H5 micro-NT titres be interpreted in conjunction with plausible poultry, environmental and human exposure to H5N1.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Thammasat University Hospital, Pratumthani, Thailand. anapisarn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Apisarnthanarak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puthavathana
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mundy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; C109963:hemagglutinin, avian influenza A virus