title: Population exposure to a novel influenza A virus over three waves of infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The influenza A(H1N1)2009 virus has been spreading throughout the world since April 2009. Since then, several studies have been undertaken to measure the frequency of antibodies that react against the virus. Microneutralisation assays have regularly been used for these analyses, and titres of ≥40 have conventionally been taken to represent significant levels of antibodies (this significance is derived from it being four times the minimum level of antibodies that the assay can detect rather an established correlate of protection). However a microneutralisation titre that correlates with protection against influenza A(H1N1)2009 has not been established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analysing influenza A(H1N1)2009 antibody seroprevalence in Scotland at multiple timepoints, and in different age groups and geographical locations, and comprehensively describing the spread of the virus in Scotland (taken alongside previously published data). This study presents for the first time the effects of a novel influenza virus on a naïve population that has been followed from the initial outbreak to a time when the majority of the population have reactive antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A microneutralisation titre ≥10 represents the minimum level of antibodies detectable by the assay. Blood samples (taken in April 2009 and April 2010 in Edinburgh (n=400 each year), and in February 2011 in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness (n=1600)) were tested for the presence of influenza A(H1N1)2009 antibodies at this titre. This represents an effective indicator of the proportion of a population who have been exposed to the virus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the 2010/2011 influenza season, there is evidence of exposure to influenza A(H1N1)2009 in approximately four fifths of the Scottish population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides impetus to the call for further research in establishing robust correlates of susceptibility to influenza infection and the development of clinical illness, provides useful information for future outbreaks, and is relevant to public health policy in planning for future influenza seasons.
authors.affiliation: West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Glasgow G12 0YN, Scotland, UK. walt.adamson@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Adamson
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMenamin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McDonagh
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Molyneaux
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Templeton
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Carman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D058873:Pandemics; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D000914:Antibodies, Viral