Antibody prevalence to the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in Germany: geographically variable immunity in winter 2010/2011.
Location- and age-specific prevalence of antibodies against 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus were determined in sera of blood donors collected during winter 2010/2011 in Germany. Prevalence of antibodies at protective titres (HI ≥1:40) varied significantly between cities (24.13-83.67 %) throughout all age groups. However, high level antibodies (HI >1:80) were most prevalent among young individuals (18-29 and 30-39 years). Overall, this study demonstrates that older people (50-59 and 60-70 years) are no longer more likely to present protective antibody titres against 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus than younger individuals. Furthermore, our data show a highly variable immunity among the German population in different major cities almost 2 years after the detection of first cases in Germany.
Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany.
Anne
A
Hackenberg
Gökhan
G
Arman-Kalcek
Jens
J
Hiller
Gülsah
G
Gabriel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral