Haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against strains of influenza A virus in horse and pig sera in Nigeria.

The research article discusses a study conducted on horse and pig sera in Nigeria, testing for the presence of Influenza A virus antibodies H3N2 and H1N1. The findings suggest that horses and pigs circulate these influenza viruses and might be a likely source for human epidemics.

Objective of the Research

• The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against Influenza A virus subtypes H3N2 and H1N1 in horse and pig sera obtained from Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methodology

• Multiple strains of both H3N2 and H1N1 were used for the study — A/Mississippi/1/85, A/Leningrad/360/86, A/Taiwan/1/86, A/Chile/1/83 (H3N2) and A/Victoria/3/75, A/Taiwan 1/86, A/Chile/1/83 (H1N1).
• The Chi-square test was used to analyse the data and determine if there were significant differences in the prevalence of HI antibodies.

Results and Findings

• The horse sera showed more HI antibodies to the H3N2 than the H1N1 strains. On the other hand, pig sera reacted almost equally with strains of both H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes.
• All the horse sera had HI antibodies to the two strains of H3N2 subtype.
• In horses, 87% and 14% were positive to A/Taiwan/1/86 and A/Chile/1/83 HI antibodies respectively.
• In pigs, HI antibody prevalence to the two subtypes was 86% and 94% for H3N2 A/Mississippi/1/85 and A/Victoria/3/75, and 87% and 79% for H1N1 A/Chile/1/83 and A/Taiwan 1/86 respectively.
• There was a significant difference in the prevalence of HI antibodies to the influenza A virus strains observed in horse sera, whereas no significant difference was noted in pig sera.

Conclusion

• The results indicate a presence of Influenza A virus subtypes H3N2 and H1N1 in horse and pig population in Nigeria, thereby suggesting that horses and pigs may serve as sources of human epidemics in Nigeria.