Seroprevalence study of infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in San Felipe Town, Chile

Objective: To know the natural history of the first wave of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in the Southern hemisphere, through the detection of antibodies against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in a selected community, to estimate the population attack rate and its variations, the consultation rates, hospitallization and mortality rates.Methodology: A representative random sample of the population of a commune in Chile (San Felipe) was interviewed and taken blood samples between January and March 2010.A study against the antibodies of the influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 virus was conducted, by the technique of the Hemaglutination Inhibition (HAI) according to standardized methodology.Subjects with antibody titers ≥1:40 were considered positive.Results: 13.5% of the population of San Felipe had antibodies against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09; this percentage reached 30% of the population between 0 and 18 years and 6.1% among those over 19 years.The age variable was the only factor that evidenced significant differences in the prevalence of antibodies.There were no significant differences related to gender, vaccination history against seasonal inluenza, or comorbidity.51% of people with positive serology showed IN-FLUENZA-LIKE SYMPTOMS.Conclusions: A relevant percentage of subclinical disease was detected in the first pandemic wave in Chile and the proportion of people with SARI and deaths was small.Data from epidemiological surveillance were useful to estimate the trend of TSI but not its magnitude.