Antibodies to human-related H3 influenza A virus in Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) and ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Russia

Microbiol Immunol. 2004;48(11):905-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2004.tb03610.x.

Abstract

Antibodies to influenza A virus were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the sera from two of seven Baikal seals (Phoca sibrica) and from five of six ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in Russia. In a hemagglutination-inhibition test using H1-H15 reference influenza A viruses, ELISA-positive sera from one Baikal seal and four ringed seals reacted to A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) and A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2) strains. One ringed seal serum sample reacted to A/seal/Massachusetts/1/80 (H7N7). The present results suggested that human-related H3 viruses were prevalent in Baikal seals and ringed seals inhabiting the central Russian Arctic.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / classification*
  • Influenza A virus / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / veterinary*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Phoca*
  • Russia

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral