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Serological survey of measles in Yemen in 1985
J Strauss1, S S Dobahi, L Danes
1Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Insights
Measles immunity was assessed in South Yemeni children using the Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) assay. Higher measles antibody titers were observed in older children, suggesting waning immunity in younger age groups.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Measles remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly in regions with lower vaccination coverage.
- Assessing population immunity is crucial for understanding disease transmission and planning effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the measles-specific antibody levels in preschool-aged children in South Yemen.
- To determine the relationship between age and measles immunity in the studied population.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized the Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) assay to analyze serum samples.
- A total of 191 preschool children (aged 1-6 years) from five distinct regions of South Yemen were enrolled.
Main Results:
- Serum positivity rates for measles antibodies increased with age: 47.5% in 1-2-year-olds, 75.5% in 3-year-olds, and 88.5% in 4-6-year-olds.
- The geometric mean of HI titers was 4.8 log2 among all preschool children studied.
Conclusions:
- Measles immunity varies significantly by age in preschool children in South Yemen, with younger children exhibiting lower protection.
- Findings support the need for optimized measles vaccination strategies tailored to age-specific immunity levels in the region.
Abstract:
The HI assay for measles was used to evaluate the sera of 191 children of preschool age (1-6 ys) from five regions of South Yemen: highland, coastal, Vadi Hadramot, the agricultural area Abijan and the capital city Aden. The serum positivity rate was 47.5% in 1-2-year-old children, 75.5% in 3 year-old and 88.5% in 4-6 year-old children. The geometric mean of HI titres was 4.8 log2 in preschool children. An optimal strategy of vaccination against measles in Yemen is discussed.