Measles passive immunity in infants from vaccinated and disease acquired mothers

Abstract

Background — Despite the decline in the incidence of measles in Chile, epidemics continue to occur. In Chile, measles vaccine is administered at one year of age, therefore, we hypothesized that control of epidemic measles may be improved with a better understanding of the immunologic status of infants. Objective — To evaluate the immunologic status to measles of unvaccinated infants born to previously vaccinated and disease exposed mothers. Method — Group A subjects were pregnant women with a documented history of measles infection, and group B subjects were pregnant women with a documented history of measles vaccination. Maternal blood samples and cord blood were obtained immediately following delivery. Blood samples were obtained from infants at 6 and 9 months of age. Samples were tested for anti‐measles antibodies using an ELISA technique. Results — There were 41 subjects in group A and 35 in group B. Infant birth weight and the mothers age were comparable in the two groups. At deli