[Immunity of the populations of the USSR and East Germany to reference strains of influenza viruses and the characteristics of a new antigenic variant of the virus].

In 1985, a new epidemic variant of influenza virus, A/Berlin/6/85 (H3N2) was isolated which differed antigenically from the reference A/Philippines/2/82 virus. The results of the study of population immunity in adults and children of the USSR and GDR to these virus variants confirm the data on the continuing drift of virus A (H3N2).

[Immunomodulating action of levamisole in its combined use with influenza vaccines].

The immunomodulatory effect of levamisole used in combination with influenza vaccines was studied in young and senile subjects. Levamisole activated antibody production in young subjects in response to administration of a live influenza A (H3N2) vaccine and enhanced the protective effect of vaccinations. The senile subjects vaccinated with inactivated influenza A vaccine (H3N2 and H1N1) had a good immune response and the use of levamisole was not reflected in antibody rises.

[Level of antibodies to influenza viruses A and B in the blood sera of children under 13].

The level of antibodies to influenza A (H1N1), A (H2N2), A (H3N2), and B viruses in the blood sera collected in October and November, 1980, from 224 children under 13 resident in Moscow and its suburbs was studied The results of the study showed convincingly the influenza A (H2N2) viruses did not circulate at that time among the population of Moscow and its suburbs. The 4 positive (not exceeding 1 : 40 findings in sera from younger children were due to the presence in them of the antibodies cross-reacting with A (H2N2) and A H3N2) viruses which could be completely eliminated from the sera by adsorption of the latter with A/USSR/174/79 (H3N2) virus. The A (H3N2) viruses were the main cause of ARD developing in children in July-September, 1980.

[Study results of the comprehensive influenza prevention with vaccines and remantadine during the influenza A(H1N1) outbreak in 1979].

During an outbreak of influenza in April, 1979, caused by A (H1N1) virus the protective effect of remantadine in combination with vaccinations using a national-made live A (H3N2) and inactivated A (H1N1) and B vaccines was studied. The best protective effect was achieved in the subjects vaccinated with influenza vaccines and given remantadine for urgent prophylaxis. Vaccination prophylaxis reduced the incidence of influenza and ARD 1.

[Protective action of remantadine during an influenza outbreak caused by virus A (H1N1) in December 1977].

The protective effect of remantadin during an influenza outbreak in December 1977 caused by A (H1N1) virus was studied. A prophylactic administration of remantadin decreased influenza and ARD incidence by 1.5-fold.