Risk factors for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 seroconversion among adults, Singapore, 2009

Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 Aug;17(8):1455-62. doi: 10.3201/eid1708.101270.

Abstract

A total of 828 community-dwelling adults were studied during the course of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 outbreak in Singapore during June-September 2009. Baseline blood samples were obtained before the outbreak, and 2 additional samples were obtained during follow-up. Seroconversion was defined as a >4-fold increase in antibody titers to pandemic (H1N1) 2009, determined by using hemagglutination inhibition. Men were more likely than women to seroconvert (mean adjusted hazards ratio [HR] 2.23, mean 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-3.93); Malays were more likely than Chinese to seroconvert (HR 2.67, 95% CI 1.04-6.91). Travel outside Singapore during the study period was associated with seroconversion (HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11-2.78) as was use of public transport (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.05-3.09). High baseline antibody titers were associated with reduced seroconversion. This study suggests possible areas for intervention to reduce transmission during future influenza outbreaks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Risk Factors
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Singapore / ethnology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral