title: Prevalence of influenza A (H1N1) seropositivity in unvaccinated healthcare workers in Scotland at the height of the global pandemic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We set out to identify the level of previous exposure to influenza A (H1N1) in unvaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) at the peak of the pandemic outbreak in the UK, with control samples collected prior to the outbreak.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study (seroprevalence assessed before and at pandemic peak, with questionnaire data collected at peak of outbreak) in HCWs in Scotland.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of seropositivity in 493 HCWs at pandemic peak was 10.3%, which was higher than the prepandemic level by 3.7 percentage points (95% CI 0.3% to 7.3%, P = 0.048). Seropositivity rates for frontline and nonfrontline HCWs were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At pandemic peak, only 10.3% of HCWs were seropositive for influenza A (H1N1), so the great majority were still susceptible to infection at the introduction of the vaccination programme. Few studies have reported on seroprevalence in unvaccinated and asymptomatic participants, so our findings may have relevance to the wider population.
authors: Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG, UK.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Smith
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Warner
authors: Linda J
authors: LJ
authors: Williams
authors: Walt E
authors: WE
authors: Adamson
authors: S Vittal
authors: SV
authors: Katikireddi
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Dewart
authors: William F
authors: WF
authors: Carman
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Templeton
authors: Fiona C
authors: FC
authors: Denison
authors: D Graham
authors: DG
authors: Mackenzie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D058873:Pandemics; D015995:Prevalence; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral