Seroprevalence of antibodies against highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus among poultry workers in Bangladesh, 2009

PLoS One. 2013 Sep 5;8(9):e73200. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073200. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

We conducted a cross-sectional study in 2009 to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) [HPAI H5N1] virus antibodies among poultry workers at farms and live bird markets with confirmed/suspected poultry outbreaks during 2009 in Bangladesh. We tested sera by microneutralization assay using A/Bangladesh/207095/2008 (H5N1; clade 2.2.2) virus with confirmation by horse red blood cell hemagglutination inhibition and H5-specific Western blot assays. We enrolled 212 workers from 87 farms and 210 workers from three live bird markets. One hundred and two farm workers (48%) culled poultry. One hundred and ninety-three farm workers (91%) and 178 market workers (85%) reported direct contact with poultry that died during a laboratory confirmed HPAI H5N1 poultry farm outbreak or market poultry die-offs from suspected HPAI H5N1. Despite exposure to sick poultry, no farm or market poultry workers were seropositive for HPAI H5N1 virus antibodies (95% confidence interval 0-1%).

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Geography, Medical
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral