Gender Differences in the Level of Antibodies to Measles Virus in Adults

Abstract

Individuals without a protective antibody level are susceptible to measles infection. There are differences in the persistence of antibodies after vaccination and infection, while the impact of gender on this process has not been sufficiently studied. Measles Ig G antibodies were measured in 1742 employees of a large hospital facility—403 men and 1339 women aged from 25 to 67 years; 15% participants had antibody levels less than the protective threshold of ≥0.18 IU/mL. Significant differences were found in the age group 40–49, where the level of IgG antibodies to measles among men was higher than among women (1.51 IU/mL (0.41; 3.38) vs. 0.70 IU/mL (0.22;1.98) respectively, (U = 3.2, p = 0,001)); in the age group 60 and older, by contrast, the level of antibodies among women was higher compared to men (3.29 IU/mL (1.72; 4.07) vs. 2.90 IU/mL (1.46; 3.53) respectively (U = 2.2, p = 0.03)). The proportion of seronegative women in the age group 40–49 was significantly higher than of seronegative men: 22 [18–26]% and 11 [6–18]% respectively (χ2 = 7.0, p = 0.001). The revealed gender characteristics that affect persistence of measles immunity may be important in personalization of vaccinal prevention for men and women.

Measles Immunity Status of Greek Population after the Outbreak in 2017–2018: Results from a Seroprevalence National Survey

“…Comparing the levels of antibody concentrations among sexes, males seem to present higher concentrations, but this is not statistically significant and comes in contrast with the general acceptance that females typically develop higher immune responses to viral infections and vaccines [ 42 ]. However, comparing the concentrations among sexes per age group, males presented statistically significantly higher concentration in the younger age group “25–54”, a finding also supported by another study [ 43 ]. In any case, both sexes showed high antibody concentrations in all age groups, making them immune to measles.…”

Measles Immunity Status of Greek Population After the Outbreak in 2017-2018: Results From a Seroprevalence National Survey

“…Comparing the level of antibodies titer among the two sexes, males seems to present higher titer but it is not statistically significant and it comes in contrast with the general acceptance that females typically develop higher immune responses to viral infections and vaccine [38]. However, comparing the titer among sexes per age group, males present statistically significantly higher titer in younger age group "25-54", finding supported also by other study [39]. In any case, both sexes show high antibody titres in all age groups, making them immune to measles.…”

Immunity Against Measles in Urban Refugee Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults in Eastleigh, Kenya

“…Different studies have demonstrated that there are gender differences in measles seroprevalence (Domínguez et al, 2006;Poethko-Müller & Mankertz, 2012;Kostinov et al, 2021;Mathew et al, 2022). Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that while some studies observed that male participants were more likely to have immunity against measles (Kostinov et al, 2021;Mathew et al, 2022), others found male participants more likely to be seronegative (Poethko-Müller& Mankertz, 2012).…”