[Susceptibility to measles, rubella and parotitis in young adults].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of antibodies against measles, rubella and parotiditis in young adults.


METHODS
The study was carried out in health care students during the academic year of 1992-1993. Demographic and geographic variables were obtained as were vaccination and history of diseases. Antibodies against measles, rubella, and parotiditis were determined by ELISA techniques with commercial reagents.


RESULTS
Three hundred and six individuals of 21.3 +/- 2.2 years (range 17-36 years) with 27.5% being males were studied. Past history of measles, rubella and parotiditis was reported in 43.5, 30.7 and 37.3%, respectively, with vaccination being 23.2, 43.8 and 20.6%, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies was 93.1% (measles), 96.4% (rubella) and 92.1% (parotiditis).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of infection of measles, rubella and parotiditis in the young population studied is mainly due to infection by wild type virus. The foreseeable growth of susceptibility groups in this population which should be adequately evaluated by extensive seroepidemiologic questionnaires, favors the appearance of epidemic outbreaks. The use of the triple viral vaccine is suggested as an alternative to rubella vaccination in presumable susceptible young women.
Bayas
J M
JM
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Universidad de Barcelona.
Vilella
A
A
Vidal
J
J
Nebot
X
X
Carbó
J M
JM
Navarro
G
G
Prat
A
A
Asenjo
M A
MA
Salleras
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D009107:Mumps / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009109:Mumps virus / Q000276:immunology; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral
Susceptibilidad al sarampión, rubéola y parotiditis en adultos jóvenes.