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[Transplacental measles immunity in infants in the 1st year of life]
Insights
Maternal measles history ensures antibody presence in newborns. Live measles vaccine immunization in mothers may lead to lower antibody levels in infants, necessitating monitoring for measles immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles immunity in newborns is crucial for protection during infancy.
- Maternal immunization and prior infection influence transplacental antibody transfer.
- The duration and efficacy of passive immunity in infants of vaccinated mothers require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess antimeasles antibody levels in mothers and their newborns based on maternal measles history and childhood vaccination.
- To evaluate the persistence of passive immunity in infants born to mothers immunized with live measles vaccine (LMV).
- To provide recommendations for protecting infants against measles.
Main Methods:
- Serological examination of blood sera from 187 parturients, their 187 newborn infants, and 195 children up to 1 year old.
- Detection of antimeasles antibodies using the hemagglutination inhibition test.
- Comparison of antibody titers between mothers with a history of measles and those immunized with LMV in childhood.
Main Results:
- All mothers with a history of measles and their newborns demonstrated antimeasles antibodies.
- 5.8% of mothers immunized with LMV lacked antibodies, and 6.6% of their newborns also showed antibody absence.
- Infants born to LMV-immunized mothers exhibited a more rapid decline in passive antimeasles immunity.
Conclusions:
- Maternal measles history correlates with robust antibody presence in newborns.
- Childhood live measles vaccine immunization may result in incomplete or waning passive immunity for infants.
- Serological screening of infants born to LMV-immunized mothers is recommended, especially after measles exposure, to guide timely immunization strategies.
Abstract:
A total of 187 parturients (66 with a history of measles and 121 immunized with live measles vaccine, or LMV, in childhood) and their 187 newborn infants, as well as 195 children aged up to 1 year, were examined. Antimeasles antibodies in blood sera were detected in the hemagglutination inhibition test. In all mothers with a history of measles and in their newborn infants antimeasles antibodies in different titers were detected. In mothers, formerly immunized with LMV, antimeasles antibodies were absent in 5.8% and in their newborn infants, in 6.6% of the examinees. Among children aged up to 1 year, born of formerly immunized mothers, more rapid disappearance of passive antimeasles immunity was observed. In cases of contact with measles, the serological examinations of all children born of mothers immunized with LMV should be carried out in order to protect seronegative children by passive or active immunization.