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Prevalence of measles antibodies in hospital personnel
Abstract:
A community outbreak of measles prompted a serologic survey of personnel in a hospital serving that community. Two hundred sixty-six personnel, primarily physicians (129) and nurses (100), voluntarily participated. Serum specimens were initially tested by the immunofluorescent antibody and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) methods. Specimens with negative results by either test were further examined using the hemagglutination inhibition and plaque neutralization (PN) methods. If EIA and PN results were negative, an individual was considered susceptible. Only one of the 98 participants born during or after 1957 and none of the 168 participants born before 1957 were serosusceptible. The low rate of serosusceptibility, in contrast to previous studies of young adults, appears attributable to the sensitivity of the testing methods used. Based on our experience, institutions considering a measles serologic testing and immunization program should expect to identify very few serosusceptible personnel, even among those born during or after 1957.
Insights
A measles outbreak led to a hospital survey. Advanced serologic testing revealed very few susceptible personnel, suggesting high immunity in healthcare workers due to sensitive detection methods.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Community measles outbreaks necessitate evaluating population immunity.
- Hospital personnel immunity is crucial for patient safety and infection control.
- Previous studies indicated varying susceptibility rates among young adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess measles immunity among hospital personnel during a community outbreak.
- To identify susceptible individuals requiring vaccination or further intervention.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of sensitive serologic testing methods.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a voluntary serologic survey of 266 hospital personnel (physicians, nurses).
- Employed multiple testing methods: immunofluorescent antibody, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA), hemagglutination inhibition, and plaque neutralization (PN).
- Defined susceptibility based on negative results from both EIA and PN assays.
Main Results:
- Only one participant (born 1957 or later) and no participants (born before 1957) were found to be serosusceptible.
- A significantly low rate of serosusceptibility was observed across all age groups.
- The findings contrast with previous studies on young adult populations.
Conclusions:
- The high rate of measles immunity among hospital staff suggests effective prior immunity.
- The sensitivity of the combined serologic testing methods likely contributed to accurate susceptibility assessment.
- Institutions implementing measles serologic testing should anticipate identifying minimal serosusceptible personnel.