Seroepidemiology of measles in Catalonia (Spain) 1985-1986

A seroepidemiological study of measles immunological status was carried out among four different populations: schoolchildren of 6-7 years, 10-11 years and 13-14 years, and pregnant women of 18-45 years, in Catalonia, Spain; 1,213 children and 239 pregnant women were surveyed. The measurement of measles antibodies were made by indirect immunofluorescence, with antibody titres greater than or equal to 1:8 considered as positive. The prevalence of measles antibodies was 82.9% in the 6-7 year old group, 87.2% in the 10-11 year old group and 94.4% in the age group 13-14 years. Among pregnant women, the prevalence of antibodies was 96.2%. Two of the variables studied were associated with the prevalence of measles antibodies in schoolchildren: the disease antecedents and measles vaccination. In pregnant women aged 18-45 no variable had any statistically significant association with the prevalence of measles antibodies.