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Serological evidence of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract:
Background
The extent of human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including mild and asymptomatic infections, is uncertain.
Methods
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of serosurveys for avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infections in humans published during 2013–2020. Three seropositive definitions were assessed to estimate pooled seroprevalence, seroconversion rate, and seroincidence by types of exposures. We applied a scoring system to assess the quality of included studies.
Results
Of 31 included studies, pooled seroprevalence of A(H7N9) virus antibodies from all participants was 0.02%, with poultry workers, close contacts, and general populations having seroprevalence of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.02%, respectively, based on the World Health Organization (WHO)—recommended definition. Although most infections were asymptomatic, evidence of infection was highest in poultry workers (5% seroconversion, 19.1% seroincidence per 100 person-years). Use of different virus clades did not significantly affect seroprevalence estimates. Most serological studies were of low to moderate quality and did not follow standardized seroepidemiological protocols or WHO-recommended laboratory methods.
Conclusions
Human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus have been uncommon, especially for general populations. Workers with occupational exposures to poultry and close contacts of A(H7N9) human cases had low risks of infection.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Files:
Publisher copy:
10.1093/infdis/jiaa679

Authors



Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Journal:
The Journal of Infectious Diseases More from this journal
Volume:
226
Issue:
1
Pages:
70–82
Publication date:
2020-10-29
Acceptance date:
2020-09-05
DOI:
EISSN:
1537-6613
ISSN:
0022-1899
Pmid:
33119755


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1140136
Local pid:
pubs:1140136
Deposit date:
2020-11-04

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