Isolation And Serologic Identification Of Influenza Viruses: A Surveillance Study In The State Of Montana November 1977 - March 1978

A surveillance study was conducted for the viral influenza strains present in the State of Montana from November 1, 1977 through March 1, 1978. Through laboratory viral techniques of isolation and serologic identification, the only strain isolated was A/TEXAS/(H3N2). Out of 170 nasopharyngeal specimens collected throughout the state, only 3 (l.7%) were successfully isolated while out of 125 blood sera (acute and convalescent) specimens only 42 (33.6%) showed positive seroconversions. Out of the 42 positive seroconversions, 15 (35»7%) were identified as A/TEXAS/(H3N2), while the remaining 27 (64.3%) could be identified as A/(H3N2). The influenza strain, A/USSR/l977(H3N2), isolated in Cheyenne, Wyoming (February 1978) had not been successfully isolated nor identified in the State of Montana during the term of this study