Antibodies to influenza viruses in the sera of Nigerians

Abstract

Sera of Nigerians aged between 10 and 60 years were tested individually for their antibody to five strains of influenza A virus. The results showed a similar pattern to those which other investigators have found with sera collected in the U.S.A. and in this country. However, antibody to the swine and WS strains was found in younger individuals than was reported previously; and the distribution of antibody titres suggests that this represents antibody to minor antigens of more recent strains, rather than persistence of swine and WS viruses. We should like to thank Dr C. H. Andrewes F.R.S. for his criticisms and Dr James S. Porterfield who sent the sera.