Pre-existing Antineuraminidase Antibodies Are Associated With Shortened Duration of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm Virus Shedding and Illness in Naturally Infected Adults

Abstract

Our results suggest that anti-NA antibodies play a large role in reducing influenza illness duration in adults and may impact transmission, most clearly among adults. Neuraminidase should be considered as an additional target in next-generation influenza virus vaccine development.We found that antibodies against neuraminidase were associated with significantly shortened viral shedding, and among adults they were also associated with shortened symptom duration. These results support neuraminidase as a potential target of next-generation influenza virus vaccines.