Seroepidemiological evaluation of 1989–91 mass vaccination 
campaigns against measles, in Italy

Grandolfo, Michele; Medda, Emanuela; Novello, F.; Ridolfi, Barbara

doi:10.1017/s095026889800154x

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The high measles seroprevalence in these mostly unvaccinated students is hardly a surprise. Our results are supported by a study conducted on pupils born in the late 1980s in which 50% of children from 36 months in Southern Italy to 5-6 years in Northern Italy (Grandolfo et al 1998) achieved natural infection.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…On the other hand, rubella seropositivity was always lower compared to the other European studies (WHO 2005a, b;Dominguez et al 2006). The percentage of those reporting to have had measles and who were immune is very similar to the percentage reported in a study carried out in Italian children born before 1990 (Grandolfo et al 1998), but, as multivariate logistic regression suggests and other surveys confirm (Baer et al 2005;Murray and Linch 1988), historical information on measles, mumps and rubella infection cannot be a reliable predictor. The high measles seroprevalence in these mostly unvaccinated students is hardly a surprise.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

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Are measles, mumps and rubella a public health issue in young adults? Results from a seroprevalence survey in university students in Italy

Langiano¹,

Ferrara²,

Torre³

et al. 2010

J Public Health

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Aims: A survey was conducted amongst university students to assess their level of susceptibility and knowledge of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) diseases and their prevention, and find factors associated to the seropositivity for MMR viruses. Subjects, and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 961 students from the University of Cassino (Italy). Enzyme immunoassay method was used to assess seropositivity for MMR, while knowledge and previous vaccination information were acquired through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of IgG antibodies was 93.2 % for measles, 91.4 % for mumps and 81.3% for rubella. The susceptibility for measles was higher in the 21-25 and over 31 age groups . The seroprevalence profile of mumps was similar to that of measles while the level of immunity to rubella was very low in students aged under 20 years (76.7%) and 21-25 years(81.2%). Only 111 students declared to be vaccinated against measles, 46 against mumps and 103 against rubella. Most students demonstrated poor knowledge concerning MMR and were not practicing preventive behaviours. Conclusions:The susceptibility was particularly high for rubella. Concerted efforts are needed to educate young adults about the benefits of vaccination and to raise their level of consciousness so as to motivate them to request vaccination. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 1 Abstract Aims:A survey was conducted amongst university students to assess their level of susceptibility and knowledge of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) diseases and their prevention, and find factors associated to the seropositivity for MMR viruses. Subjects, and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 961 students from the University of Cassino (Italy). Enzyme immunoassay method was used to assess seropositivity for MMR, while knowledge and previous vaccination information were acquired through a self-administered questionnaire. Results:The prevalence of IgG antibodies was 93.2 % for measles, 91.4 % for mumps and 81.3% for rubella. The susceptibility for measles was higher in the 21-25 and over 31 age groups . The seroprevalence profile of mumps was similar to that of measles while the level of immunity to rubella was very low in students aged under 20 years (76.7%) and 21-25 years(81.2%). Only 111 students declared to be vaccinated against measles, 46 against mumps and 103 against rubella. Most students demonstrated poor knowledge concerning MMR and were not practicing preventive behaviours. Conclusions:The susceptibility was particularly high for rubella. Concerted efforts are needed to educate young adults about the benefits of vaccination and to raise their level of consciousness so as to motivate them to request vaccination.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 52%

Are measles, mumps and rubella a public health issue in young adults? Results from a seroprevalence survey in university students in Italy

Langiano¹,

Ferrara²,

Torre³

et al. 2010

J Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The results indicate that although measles is mainly a disease of childhood, there were some individuals who suffered from measles beyond 15 years of age and others up to the age of 59 years which was consistent with findings reported from elsewhere (4)(5)(6). This observation suggests changing pattern in the epidemiology of measles in Tanzania.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Epidemiology of measles in Tanzania: A hospital-based survey of measles morbidity and mortality

Mnyika

Akim

2007

East Afr. J. Pub. Health

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Objective: To estimate measles morbidity and mortality in selected regions on mainland Tanzania Design: Cross-sectional study Setting: Hospital-based review of existing records on measles morbidity and mortality in the selected district hospitals on mainland Tanzania. Methods: Review of records on measles morbidity and mortality was performed using a standard instrument adopted from the Ministry of Health. The instrument was pre-tested before use. Researchers were recruited from the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences and were trained on how to collect data from the hospital records. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ministry of Health in Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival in the respective regions, the researchers recruited and trained local research assistants on methods of data collection. Completed questionnaire forms were entered into a computer and data cleaning was done before data analysis. Results: Measles was found to occur in individuals of over 15 years of age and beyond. Overall 35% (N=2277) of all measles cases were reported from the Iringa region while Mara region had the lowest number of cases. On the other hand Shinyanga had the highest case fatality rate (6%) compared with other regions. Mortality was higher in children below two years of age and among individuals who had no history of measles vaccination. Conclusion: We conclude that despite high measles vaccination coverage, measles is still a public health problem in Tanzania. Efforts should be made to give several booster doses up to the age of 15 years.

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“…It has previously been demonstrated that dried blood spots are a feasible alternative to venous blood as a specimen for use in investigations for measles virus antibodies (2,3,5,10). The present study demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of laboratory diagnosis of measles by use of dried blood specimens with a commercial assay.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Detection of Measles Virus-Specific Immunoglobulin M in Dried Venous Blood Samples by Using a Commercial Enzyme Immunoassay

et al. 2002

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The optical densities (ODs) of 216 dried venous blood (DVB) samples submitted to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory as part of enhanced measles surveillance were compared to the ODs of the corresponding serum samples collected at the same time. DVB samples, stored for up to 24 months at 4°C, were tested by the Dade Behring Enzygnost Anti-Measles-Virus/IgM immunoassay. Elution and testing conditions were optimized with the use of spiked DVB samples. The assay showed an overall sensitivity of 90.2% and a specificity of 98.8% for DVB samples compared to the results for serum. When the results were analyzed according to the length of time that the DVB sample had been stored, the assay was 100% sensitive and 97% specific according to the ODs for those samples stored for less than 6 months compared to the results for the corresponding serum samples, with 97.7% agreement between the results for the two sample types. These results demonstrate the potential for the use of DVB samples for the diagnosis of measles in routine diagnostic laboratories.

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Seroepidemiological evaluation of 1989–91 mass vaccination campaigns against measles, in Italy

Cited by 9 publications

References 12 publications

Are measles, mumps and rubella a public health issue in young adults? Results from a seroprevalence survey in university students in Italy

Are measles, mumps and rubella a public health issue in young adults? Results from a seroprevalence survey in university students in Italy

Epidemiology of measles in Tanzania: A hospital-based survey of measles morbidity and mortality

Detection of Measles Virus-Specific Immunoglobulin M in Dried Venous Blood Samples by Using a Commercial Enzyme Immunoassay

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