[Value of salivary antibodies for determining seropositivity to measles, rubella, and mumps in children and adults].
BACKGROUND
IgA and IgG antibodies can be detected in saliva in order to assess the immune status against measles, rubella and mumps.


METHODS
Serum and saliva were simultaneously obtained from 50 adults between 19 and 52 years of age that were non-vaccinated and from 50 children from 15 months to 13 years of age that had been vaccinated against measles, rubella and mumps at 15 months of age. Specific IgG and IgA antibodies were determined by ELISA. Values higher than the 95% confidence interval obtained in 39 non-vaccinated and non-infected infants were considered as positive.


RESULTS
In adults 96-100% and in children 90-98% were seropositive for the viral antigens studied. A positive result in saliva was always higher than 50%, with the percentage being higher in children than in adults and mainly for IgA antibodies. According to the present study, the combined determination of IgG and IgA antibodies in saliva would detect 86% of the children seropositive for measles, 87% for rubella and 82% to mumps, with these results being slightly lower in adults. Children without salivary antibodies were frequently younger than 3 years of age and were negative for more than one viral antigen.


CONCLUSIONS
The study of salivary antibodies is a non-invasive method to assess seropositivity against measles, rubella and mumps, but it is advisable that both IgG and IgA antibodies be determined.
Garrido Redondo
M
M
Area de Pediatría e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valladolid, España.
Blanco Quirós
A
A
Garrote Adrados
J A
JA
Tellería Orriols
J J
JJ
Arranz Sanz
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009107:Mumps / Q000276:immunology*; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
Valor de los anticuerpos salivares para la determinación de la seropositividad frente a sarampión, rubéola y parotiditis en niños y adultos.