Age-dependent prevalence of antibodies cross-reactive to the influenza A(H3N2) variant virus in sera collected in Norway in 2011

K Waalen; A Kilander; S G Dudman; R Ramos-Ocao; O Hungnes

doi:10.2807/ese.17.19.20170-en

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Age-dependent prevalence of antibodies cross-reactive to the influenza A(H3N2) variant virus in sera collected in Norway in 2011
K Waalen¹ , A Kilander¹ , S G Dudman¹ , R Ramos-Ocao¹ , O Hungnes¹
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Affiliations: ¹ Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway

Correspondence:
K Waalen
kristian.waalen fhi.no
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Citation style for this article: Waalen K, Kilander A, Dudman S G, Ramos-Ocao R, Hungnes O. Age-dependent prevalence of antibodies cross-reactive to the influenza A(H3N2) variant virus in sera collected in Norway in 2011. Euro Surveill. 2012;17(19):pii=20170. https://doi.org/10.2807/ese.17.19.20170-en Received: 09 May 2012

Abstract

Antibody cross-reactivity to the influenza A(H3N2) variant virus recently reported in the United States, was investigated in Norwegian sera. Seroprevalence was 40% overall, and 71% in people born between 1977 and 1993. The most susceptible age groups were children and people aged around 50 years. The high immunity in young adults is likely to be due to strong priming infection with similar viruses in the 1990s. More research is needed to explain the poor immunity in 45-54 year-olds.