Summary
The occurrence of OC-43 coronavirus-like infections in the population of Hamburg was determined by a monthly serological survey (hemagglutination inhibition test [HI]) undertaken between October 1974 and October 1976. Studies of 3,016 sera revealed a high incidence of HI antibodies (58.2%). The frequency of seropositive reactions (=1:8) and the geometric mean titer were higher in individuals 15 to 24 years old. Treatment of 50 positive sera (titer 1:16 – 1:64) with receptor destroying enzyme, kaolin and ethacridin for elimination of nonspecific inhibitors did not modify the HI-titer of the investigated sera. The serological seasonal pattern suggests that coronaviruses are circulating the whole year in the urban population with a prevalence in the fall-winter period. Of the 331 paired sera examined, 6.6% presented a four- to eightfold rise in titer within eight weeks.
Zusammenfassung
In der Zeit von Oktober 1974 bis 1976 wurde das Auftreten von OC-43 Coronavirus-ähnlichen Infektionen in der Hamburger Bevölkerung durch eine monatliche serologische Untersuchung (Hämagglutinations-Hemmtest [HI]) überprüft. Unterusuchungen an 3016 Seren zeigten einen hohen Anteil von HI-Antikörpern (58,2%). Die Häufigkeit von seropositiven Reaktionen (=1:8) und der geometrische Mittelwert-Titer waren bei Personen zwischen 15 und 24 Jahren am höchsten. Die Behandlung von 50 seropositiven Seren (Titer 1:16 – 1:64) mit „receptor destroying enzyme“ (RDE), Kaolin und Ethacridin zur Entfernung der unspezifischen Hemmfaktoren führte bei den untersuchten Seren zu keiner Veränderung der HI-Titer. Nach der serologisch bestimmten jahreszeitlichen Verteilung ist anzunehmen, daß Coronaviren das ganze Jahr über in der städtischen Bevölkerung zirkulieren — mit Bevorzugung der Herbst/Winter-Periode. Von den 331 geprüften Serumpaaren wiesen 6,6% einen vier- bis achtfachen Antikörper-Titeranstieg innerhalb von acht Wochen auf.
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Ehrengut, W., Sarateanu, D.E. A two year serological surveillance of coronavirus infections in Hamburg. Infection 8, 70–72 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01639150
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01639150