Biomaterial Database

[Epidemiological surveillance of influenza in western Sicily in 1976-1977]. 1978

G La Rosa, and V Gulì, and N Romano, and C Cabibbo

Two strains of influenza virus A/H3N2 antigenically similar to A/Victoria/3/75 have been isolated in Palermo in February 1977; a peak of extramortality has been observed in the same month, and a rise of HAI antibodies for A/H3N2 viruses in human serum samples, taken from apparently healthy subjects living Palermo, has been demonstrated between October 1976 and February 1977. Similar rise of antibody titers has also taken place in serum samples from two communities in Western Sicily (Favara, 30,000 inhabitants, Favignana, 3,000 inhabitants). Serum samples obtained in June 1977 showed a slight fall of antibody level in Palermo and in Favignana, whereas in Favara a further rise, in comparison to February, is consistent with the hypothesis of a delayed circulation of virus in that community. Reduction of HAI titers for H3N2 viruses was even more pronounced in October 1977 in all groups of serum samples tested. The importance of local surveillance of influenza and the assessment of herd immunity level is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007251	Influenza, Human	An acute viral infection in humans involving the respiratory tract. It is marked by inflammation of the NASAL MUCOSA; the PHARYNX; and conjunctiva, and by headache and severe, often generalized, myalgia.	Grippe,Human Flu,Human Influenza,Influenza in Humans,Influenza,Flu, Human,Human Influenzas,Influenza in Human,Influenzas,Influenzas, Human
D007558	Italy	A country in southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. The capital is Rome.	Sardinia
D009980	Influenza A virus	The type species of the genus ALPHAINFLUENZAVIRUS that causes influenza and other diseases in humans and animals. Antigenic variation occurs frequently between strains, allowing classification into subtypes and variants. Transmission is usually by aerosol (human and most non-aquatic hosts) or waterborne (ducks). Infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.	Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae,Avian Orthomyxovirus Type A,FLUAV,Fowl Plague Virus,Human Influenza A Virus,Influenza Virus Type A,Influenza Viruses Type A,Myxovirus influenzae-A hominis,Myxovirus influenzae-A suis,Myxovirus pestis galli,Orthomyxovirus Type A,Orthomyxovirus Type A, Avian,Orthomyxovirus Type A, Human,Orthomyxovirus Type A, Porcine,Pestis galli Myxovirus,Fowl Plague Viruses,Influenza A viruses,Myxovirus influenzae A hominis,Myxovirus influenzae A suis,Myxovirus, Pestis galli,Myxoviruses, Pestis galli,Pestis galli Myxoviruses,Plague Virus, Fowl,Virus, Fowl Plague
D006385	Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests	Serologic tests in which a known quantity of antigen is added to the serum prior to the addition of a red cell suspension. Reaction result is expressed as the smallest amount of antigen which causes complete inhibition of hemagglutination.	Hemagglutination Inhibition Test,Inhibition Test, Hemagglutination,Inhibition Tests, Hemagglutination,Test, Hemagglutination Inhibition,Tests, Hemagglutination Inhibition
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000914	Antibodies, Viral	Immunoglobulins produced in response to VIRAL ANTIGENS.	Viral Antibodies