[Serological foundation for the persisting circulation of influenza viruses A(HON1) and A(H2N2) among children]

Examinations by the HI test of 652 sera from children aged from 9 months to 13 years revealed antibodies to A/Singapore/1/57 (H2N2) in 0.9% and A/PR/8/34 (H0N1) in 1.2% of the children. The specific nature of the activity of the sera was proved by neutralization tests and by treatment of the sera with Staphylococcus aureus adsorbing IgG class antibodies. Antineuraminidase antibodies to these viruses were also detected. Examinations of 247 paired sera from children revealed seroconversion to hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of A/Singapore/1/57 and A/PR/8/34 in 2% and 0.4%, respectively. These results testify to continuing circulation in the human population of influenza A virus subtypes of no current epidemiological importance.