No evidence for zoonotic transmission of H3N8 canine influenza virus among US adults occupationally exposed to dogs.
OBJECTIVE
The zoonotic potential of H3N8 canine influenza virus (CIV) has not been previously examined; yet considering the popularity of dogs as a companion animal and the zoonotic capabilities of other influenza viruses, the public health implications are great. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against CIV among a US cohort.


METHODS
A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted between 2007 and 2010.


METHODS
Recruitments primarily occurred in Iowa and Florida. Participants were enrolled at dog shows, or at their home or place of employment.


METHODS
Three hundred and four adults occupationally exposed to dogs and 101 non-canine-exposed participants completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample.


METHODS
Microneutralization and neuraminidase inhibition assays were performed to detect human sera antibodies against A/Canine/Iowa/13628/2005(H3N8). An enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) was adapted to detect antibodies against a recombinant N8 neuraminidase protein from A/Equine/Pennsylvania/1/2007(H3N8).


RESULTS
For all assays, no significant difference in detectable antibodies was observed when comparing the canine-exposed subjects to the non-canine-exposed subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
While these results do not provide evidence for cross-species CIV transmission, influenza is predictably unpredictable. People frequently exposed to ill dogs should continually be monitored for novel zoonotic CIV infections.
Emerging Pathogens Institute and College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Whitney S
WS
Krueger
Gary L
GL
Heil
Kyoung-Jin
KJ
Yoon
Gregory C
GC
Gray
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D053123:Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral
Communicable diseases; Dog diseases; emerging; influenza A virus; occupational exposure; seroepidemiologic studies; zoonoses