Seroprevalence of Measles-, Mumps-, and Rubella-specific antibodies in the German adult population – cross-sectional analysis of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)

Abstract

Background The WHO European Region targets the elimination of measles, rubella, and the congenital rubella syndrome and welcomes mumps elimination via the joint MMR vaccine. In a push towards this elimination goal, Germany introduced a recommendation on MMR vaccination for adults in 2010 to prevent increasing numbers of measles cases among adults and to strengthen herd immunity. Methods The prevalence of anti-measles, -mumps, and -rubella IgG antibodies was analysed in 7,115 participants between the ages of 18 and 79 years in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey. Risk factors of seronegativity of adults born 1970 or later were determined. Findings The seroprevalence of anti-measles IgG antibodies was more than 97% in adults born before 1965 and less than 90% in adults born afterwards. Prevalence and GMTs declined with later years of birth. Seronegativity was associated with two-sided migration background and region of residence in East Germany. For anti-mumps IgG antibodies, the seroprevalence was less than 90% in almost all age groups. Prevalence and GMTs declined with later years of birth. Seronegativity was not associated with any socio-demographic factor. Anti-rubella IgG seropositivity was found in more than 90% of adults born before 1985. GMTs declined in younger age groups. Seronegativity was associated with birth between 1980 and 1993 and male gender. High socio-economic status lowered the odds of being seronegative. Interpretation These data reinforce the implementation of the vaccination recommendation for adults and provide the basis for further evaluation of this measure. Funding The Federal Ministry of Health, Germany.

HLA Associations of Intrathecal IgG Production against Specific Viruses in Multiple Sclerosis

“…One possible explanation for the differences in prevalence of positive MRZ reaction between these studies could be the prominent decreases in the prevalence of measles‐ and rubella‐specific serum antibodies observed in the adult population after introduction of mass vaccination campaigns in the 1970s (measles and rubella for females) and in the early 1980s (rubella for males) 38,39 . This is supported by the fact that prior contact with viral antigens, either through natural infection or vaccination, is most likely a prerequisite for intrathecal production of virus‐specific antibodies, as shown in a small Cuban study 13 .…”

“…11,12 One possible explanation for the differences in prevalence of positive MRZ reaction between these studies could be the prominent decreases in the prevalence of measles-and rubella-specific serum antibodies observed in the adult population after introduction of mass vaccination campaigns in the 1970s (measles and rubella for females) and in the early 1980s (rubella for males). 38,39 This is supported by the fact that prior contact with viral antigens, either through natural infection or vaccination, is most likely a prerequisite for intrathecal production of virus-specific antibodies, as shown in a small Cuban study. 13 Whether and to which extent these changes in measles-and/or rubella-specific seroprevalence in the general population during the years of instable transition from natural-to vaccination-induced herd immunity affect the intrathecal antibody production in MS, should be explored systematically in much larger cohorts (n > 1000).…”

“…Since measles-and rubella-specific seropositivity appears to be a prerequisite to elicit a positive MRZ reaction 13 and measles-and rubella-specific seroprevalence in the general population of many countries dropped in adults born after 1970 and 1980, respectively, with the introduction of mass vaccination campaigns in the 1970s and 1980s, 38,39 we analyzed MS/CIS patients born before and after 1980 regarding overall and sex-dependent prevalence of intrathecal measles-, rubella-, or varicella zoster-specific IgG production, as well as positive MRZ reaction, and found no differences in the single-parameter analyses (Table S23). The categorization into cohorts with patients born before 1971, between 1971 and 1980, and after 1980, did not reveal any differences either (data not shown).…”

Seroprevalence of Rubella Virus Infection in Susceptible Women of Childbearing Age Group Seeking Preconceptional Counselling and Infertility Treatment- A Cross-sectional Study from Eastern India

“…This can greatly reduce and help in preventing the occurrence of CRS. The finding of studies done in other nations by Honarvar B et al, [19], Mazaba ML et al,[20] and Friedrich N et al, [21], Rubella IgG seronegativity, was found to be 7/175 (4%), 10/124 (8.1%) and 299/6811 (4.4%) respectively. The proportion of females susceptible to Rubella virus infection was much lower in comparison to the present study.…”

Immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella among homeless individuals in Germany — A nationwide multi-center cross-sectional study

“…However, current data on the immunization status of a population are necessary to identify populations at risk and, thus, generate targeted vaccination recommendations and related campaigns ( 41 ). Recent data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey (DEGS1) showed high seroprevalence for measles, mumps and rubella, respectively, in the German general adult population ( 42 ).…”