Measles immunity in different population groups

Abstract

Objective: to examine the state of the immunity to measles in different age groups.Materials and methods: In 2018, 4444 people were examined at the Diagnostic Center (virological). Among them, 3783 people were examined using the passive haemagglutination test for measles (manufactured by Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia). In the remaining 661 cases, the IgG to measles were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by VektoMeaseles IgG test (manufactured by Vector-Best, Russia). The correlation between the measles IgG level (ELISA) and the age was examined in 518 patients. Results: In this study, the immunity to measles was shown to be insufficient in all groups of observed people. Even among medical staff, nearly 10% had no protective level of measles antibodies. We have shown that the correlation between the measles IgG level and the age is statistically significant, so that the number of seronegative persons in different age groups differs significantly. Conclusion: The highest ratio of seronegative individuals was found in the age group between 18 and 25 years (52,33%), which can lead to serious measles outbreaks. Hence, this study confirms a strong need for additional immunization in all groups and especially in young population.

Keywords

• measles, immunity, age, level of measles antibodies