Low titers of measles antibody in mothers whose infants suffered from measles before eligible age for measles vaccination

Abstract

BackgroundResurgence or outbreak of measles recently occurred in both developed and developing countries despite long-standing widespread use of measles vaccine. Measles incidence in China has increased since 2002, particularly in infants and in persons ≥ 15 years of age. It is speculated that infants may acquire fewer measles IgG from their mothers, resulting in the reduced duration of protection during their early months of life. This study aimed to clarify the reason of increased susceptibility to measles in young infants in China. Measles IgG in 24 measles infants ≤ 9 months of age and their vaccinated mothers was quantitatively measured. The mean measles neutralizing titer in the vaccinated mothers and in 13 age-match women with the histories of clinical measles were compared.ResultsAll the mothers were confirmed to be vaccinated successfully by the presence of measles IgG. Six vaccinated mothers were positive for measles IgM and had high concentrations of measles IgG and the neutralizing antibody, indicating underwent natural boosting. The mean measles neutralizing titer in 18 vaccinated mothers without natural boosting were significantly lower than that in 13 age-match women with the histories of clinical measles (1:37 vs 1:182, P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggest that infants born to mothers who acquired immunity to measles by vaccination may get a relatively small amount of measles antibody, resulting in loss of the immunity to measles before the vaccination age. Measures to improve the immunity in young infants not eligible for measles vaccination would be critical to interrupt the measles transmission in China.

A Comparison of Adult and Pediatric Measles Patients Admitted to Emergency Departments during the 2008^|^ndash;2011 Outbreak in the Midi-Pyr^|^eacute;n^|^eacute;es Region of France

“…Approximately 95z-99z of maternal specific antibodies disappear from infants by 6 months of age, which explains the susceptibility of this population to develop the disease (15,16). In young healthy adults, the absence of vaccination has been reported to be the leading cause of measles infection, however, in the present study, it was the primary cause in children older than 1 year and adults without any difference.…”

Assessment of the Epidemiology and Burden of Measles in Southern Mozambique

“…8,28 Since January 2010, Malawi, a neighboring country of Mozambique, has been experiencing the largest measles outbreak with 77,000 cases reported and 195 deaths. 29 Data reported in this study, obtained in Manhiça District during 2004 shows a high number of measles cases occurring in children with a record of prior measles vaccination, and among infants before the age of vaccination.…”

Early waning of maternal measles antibodies: why immunization programs should be adapted over time

“…Most recently, outbreaks of measles within general populations have occurred, notably in France with 2000 cases in the first 5 months of 2010 [101]. Furthermore, the majority of the cases occur in infants under 1 year of age, as shown in recent outbreaks in Poland [15], China [30] or during the US measles reemergence in the 1990s [8], demonstrating the critical and real window of risk for measles infection and potentially serious complications. These children have approximately double the risk of mortality from measles infection [31].…”