The Correlation between Neutralizing Antibodies in Serum against Influenza Viruses and Susceptibility to Influenza in Man

Abstract

This paper purports to present results of studies which suggest that the level of specific neutralizing antibodies against the homologous virus is one important factor in immunity to both influenza A and influenza B in man; that neutralizing antibodies are not the only factor of importance in determining whether a given individual will contract one or the other disease entity in an epidemic; that there are correlations between the different levels of specific neutralizing antibodies and susceptibility, or resistance, to infection by the different agents etiologically related to influenza. However, high antibody levels against influenza A virus do not diminish the frequency of influenza B nor do high antibody levels against influenza B virus reduce the incidence of influenza A. Influenza of unknown cause appears to occur with somewhat increased frequency among individuals who possess considerable concs. of antibodies against both known influenza viruses.