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Hemagglutination inhibition antibodies to equine influenza virus in horse sera from the County of Sisak-Moslavina, Croatia

Through application of the hemagglutination inhibition method on plastic "U" plates for microtitration a total of 1012 samples of sera taken from non-vaccinated horses, including both sexes as well as castrates and of differing age groups, were tested for (he presence of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies for the strains of two types of equine influenza virus, which differed both antigenically and immunogenically: A/equine- 1/Sisak/80 (H7N7) and A/equine-2/Zagreb/80 (H3N8). Positive (1:10 and 1:20) and significant (31:40) titre of such antibodies for influenza virus strain A/equine-1/Sisak/80 (H7N7) was established in 584 (58%) and 125 (12%) of horse sera samples respectively, while results of a similar test of horse sera for influenza virus strain A/equine- 2/Zagreb/80 (H3N8) were 327 (32%) and 44 (4%) respectively. Tested horse sera samples originated from nine equidistant locations within the County of Sisak-Moslavina, where the majority of Croatia's horse population is to be found. Sera samples were collected during January and February 1994, following an epizooty of an acute respiratory disease among horses which appeared in the summer of 1993 within that county. Sera findings with a positive and significant antibody litre for both strains of equine influenza virus confirmed the presence of equine influenza throughout the study area, although the state of horses' immunity against that virus, evidenced during the research, cannot guarantee protection in the event that a fresh epizooly of the disease occurs. Thought should therefore be given to an active campaign of immunization of horses in rural homesteads against influenza, especially in areas with a sizable horse agglomeration, such as the study area of the County of Sisak-Moslavina.

Croatia ; equine influenza virus a2 ; equine influenza virus al ; hemagglutination inhibition antibodies ; horse sera ; influenza

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