Seroepidemiological survey of influenza C virus in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

regarding this virus, such as the mechanisms or its transmissionand maintenanceinnature, have been limited, as compared with those of influenza A and B viruses. We investigated the antibody prevalence of this virus in the residents of Hiroshima Prefecttwe to elucidatethe extent of influenza C viruSinfection, and inthis paper we reportthe results of the age distribution of antibody against influenza C virus in comparison with those agalnSt inmlenZa A and B vimses. A total of 186 sera, which were collected from residents living in Hiroshima Prefecture in the age range of 0-84 years in 1997, were measured for hemagglutinin-inhibition (HI) antibody titer against influenza A, B, and C viruses. The