Measles IgG Antibodies: Is There a Protective Role in COVID 19 Pandemic?‎ ‎

Abstract

Background and study aim: Epidemiological data reported lower death rates of COVID-19 cases in countries with higher & recent coverage by measles containing vaccines. In this study we aim to identify measles IgG titer in COVID-19 patients & correlate it with disease severity. Patients and Method: This is a Crosssectional study where 78 patients admitted to Ain Shams University Quarantine hospitals with positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled. All patients underwent quantification of serum measles IgG titer. Then classified according to the COVID-19 severity into mild, moderate and severe.Results: Measles IgG was positive in 53 patients (68%) with median of 1600 (IQR 1000-or3100), borderline in 18 patients (23%) with median 250 and negative in seven patients (9%) with median 100 (IQR 80-120). Patients with positive measles IgG were significantly older (56±16 years) than those with negative measles IgG ( 48±15 years) (P=0.03).No significant difference was found in measles IgG titer between mild , moderate and severe COVID19 cases. Intensity of pulmonary involvement by CT chest was not correlated with measles IgG titer. The median of measles IgG titer of the ICU admitted patients and those who were not, was 1150 (IQR=600-3500) and 1050 (IQR=200-1800) respectively (p=0.46). No difference in measles IgG titer between patients who recovered or died. Conclusion:Severity of COVID-19 disease and its outcome seem to be unaffected by measles IgG titer.

Presumed Protective Role for Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Antibodies Against COVID-19 Severe Cases: A Clinical Study Confirming in silico Hypothesis

“…Gold et al investigated only a total of 80 patients with COVID-19 for the relationship with MMR vaccine (30). Al Balakosy et al also determined the anti-Measles IgG antibodies on a total of only 78 patients with COVID-19 (31).…”