Utility of serological screening for measles, mumps and rubella in immunocompromised patients

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019;15(12):2854-2855. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1657353. Epub 2019 Sep 17.

Abstract

Marchi et al. in their article (Measles in pregnancy: a threat for Italian women? Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019 Jun 20:1-3) observed that 96.9% of pregnant women were positive for anti-measles IgG (with a higher risk of contracting measles in those aged 19-29 years) emphasizing the importance of serological screening before pregnancy. We evaluated seroprotection/seropositivity rates to Measles, Mumps and Rubella in 324 adults with an acquired immune-deficiency needing an immunization program. We found that younger patients (20-29 years) had a seroprevalence below 85%. Overall, a relevant proportion (21.6%, 54/250) of patients was susceptible to at least one infection needing immunization. Our results confirm the usefulness of proper strategies for identifying individuals susceptible to vaccine-preventable infections and protecting them through vaccination.

Keywords: Italy; Measles; mumps; rubella; vaccination.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / immunology
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
  • Middle Aged
  • Mumps / epidemiology*
  • Mumps / immunology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Rubella / epidemiology*
  • Rubella / immunology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Serologic Tests
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine