title: Prevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella susceptibility among health science students in a University in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health science students (HSS) are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting viral diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of susceptibility of HSS to these infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a cross-sectional design, 790 HSS of Manipal University, Manipal, India, answered a questionnaire and provided a blood sample which was tested for specific IgG antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella and varicella by ELISA (Enzygnost(®)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group was comprised of medical (53.9%), nursing (16.6%), and allied health (29.5%) students. Among the overall group (n = 790), the prevalence of serological susceptibility to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella were 9.5%, 32.0%, 16.6%, and 25.8%, respectively. Among the subgroup of vaccinated subjects, susceptibility to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella were 7.9%, 34.7%, 10.7%, and 35.2%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HSS susceptible to measles, mumps, rubella, and/or varicella are at risk of acquiring these diseases during their training period. In addition, they may be a potential source for nosocomial transmission posing a risk to immunocompromised patients. Hence, in the Indian setting, HSS should be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella at the time of joining the medical school.
authors.affiliation: Manipal Centre for Virus Research, ICMR Virology Network Laboratory, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India. arun.kumar@manipal.edu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arunkumar
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Vandana
authors.forename: Nalini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sathiakumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000193:education; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004501:Education, Medical; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology; D009107:Mumps / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009109:Mumps virus / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology; D012698:Serologic Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral