Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Measles among the Amish: a comparative study of measles severity in primary and secondary cases in households

R W Sutter1, L E Markowitz, J M Bennetch

  • 1Division of Immunization, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated measles severity in Amish households. Contrary to the hypothesis, secondary measles cases were not more severe than primary cases after controlling for household factors.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Disease Research

Background:

  • Measles outbreaks can disproportionately affect unvaccinated populations.
  • Household exposure dynamics may influence infectious disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that secondary measles cases are more severe than primary cases due to increased virus inoculum.
  • To analyze measles disease severity in a predominantly unvaccinated Amish community.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed severity of 119 measles cases based on symptom frequency/duration, hospitalization, and bed days.
  • Employed univariate analysis and a matched logistic regression model controlling for age and sex.
  • Studied an outbreak in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, during April-June 1988.

Main Results:

  • Univariate analysis showed differences in specific symptoms (e.g., less conjunctivitis, more earache in secondary cases) and shorter coryza duration.
  • Logistic regression controlling for family, age, and sex found no significant differences in overall measles severity between primary and secondary cases.
  • The hypothesis that secondary cases are more severe was not supported by the adjusted analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Household measles transmission does not necessarily lead to more severe disease in secondary cases.
  • Factors beyond initial inoculum size, such as host-specific immunity and co-morbidities, may play a larger role in disease severity.
  • Public health strategies should continue to focus on vaccination to prevent measles outbreaks.

More Related Videos

Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis06:19

Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: September 9, 2022

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...