[Loss of maternal measles antibodies acquired by vaccination against measles]

The objective of the investigation was to assess whether children of mothers who acquired measles antibodies resp. immunity by vaccination are at least for the first six months of their life protected by maternal antibodies. A group of fifty pregnant women mean age 18 years incl. their umbilical blood and blood of their children, mostly 5-6 months after birth, were examined by the haemagglutination inhibition and immunoenzymatic test. The levels of measles antibodies were detected in 11 women immunized against measles in cca 1970 and in 26 revaccinated women mostly after 5 to 11 years. In once vaccinated mothers and their umbilical bloods the mean HI titres were 1:8.5 and 1:14 resp. and the mean EIA titres were 1:3600 and 1:3040 resp. As to the eight newborn children at the age of 5 and 6 months 6 children did not have any protective antibodies. In twice vaccinated women and their umbilical bloods the mean HI titre was 1:10 and 1:16.4 resp. and EIA titres were 1:2937 and 1:3784 resp. Of the 15 newborn infants at the age of 4 to 6 months 11 infants did not have any protective antibodies. In 8 mothers without vaccination records and their umbilical bloods the mean HI titre was 1:7.5 and 1:25.5 and mean EIA titres were 1:8229 and 1:7360 resp. In none of their children at the age of 6 months measles antibodies were found. The finding of the lack of protection in children older than 6 months stimulates further research of the problem.