Avian-like A (H1N1) swine influenza virus antibodies among swine farm residents and pigs in southern China

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2014;67(3):184-90. doi: 10.7883/yoken.67.184.

Abstract

Infection of human with avian-like A (H1N1) swine influenza virus (SIV) occasionally occurs in China, suggesting a potential risk of cross-species transmission of the swine influenza H1N1 virus from pigs to humans, particularly to those having direct contact with pigs. A seroepidemiological study was conducted to assess the prevalence of antibodies against the avian-like A (H1N1) SIV among swine farm residents and pigs in southern China to evaluate the risk of infection to swine farm workers. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays revealed that 11.17% (61/546) of the sera samples from swine farm residents in southern China were positive for antibodies against the avian-like A (H1N1) SIV. The difference in numbers of antibody-positive samples obtained from swine farm residents and a control group of healthy city residents was statistically significant (P = 0.031). In addition, 219 of the 1,180 serum samples from pigs were positive for the antibodies against an avian-like A (H1N1) SIV, A/swine/Guangdong/SS1/2013(H1N1), as assessed by HI. The data suggest that occupational exposure of swine farm residents and veterinarians in southern China to pigs may increase their risk of acquiring avian-like A (H1N1) SIV infection. According to a special pig farming model in southern China, the staff and residents are in close contact with infected pigs and may be among the first to become infected.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / epidemiology
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / immunology
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / virology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology*
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology
  • Swine Diseases / immunology
  • Swine Diseases / virology*
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / immunology
  • Zoonoses / virology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral