Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, Infectious and Tropical Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

2 Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Afzalipour School of Medicine & Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Medical Virology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

4 Department of Medical Virology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

5 Assistant Professor, Research Center for Modeling in Health and Department of Biostatistics and School of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background & Aims: Influenza viruses are important causes of mortality and morbidity in children. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of antibodies (IgG) against Influenza A in children in Kerman, Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 200 children aged 4-14 years referred to Besaat Clinic and Afzalipour hospital for diseases other than influenza were enrolled. Sera were tested for anti influenza A IgG with NovaLisa ELISA kits (NOVATEC, Germany). Results: Anti-Influenza virus A IgG was detected in 12% (24/200) of the sera. This group had the highest mean age [9.62 (7-12) years]. Among studied variables, only age was related to seropositivness for antiInfluenza A serotypes. Conclusion: The majority of children aged 4-14 years in Kerman had no immunity to Influenza A. So, they are at risk for influenza and its morbidity during possible epidemics of this infection.

Keywords