title: Measles epidemiology in Italy.
abstract: In preparation for a mass vaccination programme, the immune status with regard to measles was determined in over 8300 unvaccinated children aged 0-13 years, residing in eight Italian cities with different socioeconomic situations and geographical locations. The age corresponding to the 50% prevalence of immunes appeared to be intermediate (2.9-5.5 years) between that reported for industrialized (6-7 years) and developing countries (1-2 years). The 50% prevalence of natural immunity was reached at an earlier age in southern cities in which poorer socioeconomic and hygienic conditions prevailed; the earlier occurrence of measles in these areas was confirmed by a more detailed serological study of children in the first 24 months of life. For children aged 2-13 years, serological results showed that the history of measles reported by parents on questionnaires gave high positive predictive values (over 85%). Our seroepidemiological study shows that, on the basis of the ages of 25 and 75% prevalence of immunes, the target population for a mass immunization programme in Italy can be assumed to be aged from 12 months to 7 years. However, special attention should be given to the poorest areas, especially in southern Italy, where measles occurs earlier and can be particularly severe.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007114:Immunization; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies