title: Response to measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is unknown. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination has been in the past implicated in ASD pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of seropositivity and the levels of antibodies against MMR antigens in a cohort of children with ASD compared to control children.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cohort of children with ASD and same-age healthy controls, we measured levels and seropositivity of antibodies against MMR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 60 children, 31 with ASD and 29 controls were enrolled. The seropositivity rate and levels of all the three antibodies were similar in cases and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with ASD have a similar level and seropositivity rate of antibodies against the MMR vaccine to same-age controls. As persistent infections are typically associated with high antibody levels, our results support the arguments against a role of MMR vaccination as a causal factor or co-factor in development of ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Translational Science, University of Naples, Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bravaccio
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bonavolta
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zappulo
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scarica
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Settimi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Portella
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascotto
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borgia
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D009107:Mumps / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012409:Rubella / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine