Area under the curve calculations as a tool to compare the efficacy of equine influenza vaccines—a retrospective analysis of three independent field trials

• Published in: Journal of immunological methods 2002-06, Vol.264 (1), p.11-17
• Main Authors: Heldens, J.G.M., Weststrate, M.W., van den Hoven, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal viral diseases; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - biosynthesis; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Area Under Curve; AUC; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Specimen Collection - statistics & numerical data; Blood Specimen Collection - veterinary; Equine influenza; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Horse Diseases - immunology; Horse Diseases - prevention & control; Horses; Immunization, Secondary - statistics & numerical data; Immunization, Secondary - veterinary; Immunodiffusion - statistics & numerical data; Immunodiffusion - veterinary; Infectious diseases; Influenza A virus - immunology; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza Vaccines - therapeutic use; Injections, Intramuscular; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - immunology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - prevention & control; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - veterinary; Retrospective Studies; SRH titres; Therapeutic Equivalency; Vaccination - statistics & numerical data; Vaccination - veterinary; Vaccines; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies; Viral diseases; Virology
• ISSN: 0022-1759; 1872-7905
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-1759(01)00571-3

Using the area under the curve (AUC) concept as is commonly used in pharmaceutical bioequivalence studies, the bioequivalence of three equine influenza vaccines was demonstrated. A retrospective analysis was performed using this technique on data generated in three trials in which each of the three vaccines had been used. In total, data from 63 pony and horse foals were used. The AUC of the single radial hemolysis (SRH) titres against Influenza A/equi-1/Prague/56 (Pr/56), A/equi-2/Newmarket-1/93, and A/equi-2/Suffolk/89 (Suf/89) were calculated for each horse. It was concluded that calculation of the AUC from four time-points permitted a suitable estimate for vaccine potency. Using pooled data, it appeared that the AUC permitted better evaluation of vaccine potency than simply considering the highest post vaccinal titre (Titremax). In two studies, a minimal value for the AUC was associated with protection against Influenza (H3N8) challenge 50–153 days later.