Seroprevalence of measles-specific antibodies in the group predominantly affected by measles in 2006-2009 in Poland.
BACKGROUND
Irrespective of the high vaccination coverage against measles, sporadic measles outbreaks still occur in Poland. In 2006-2009, a slight increase in the number of measles cases was observed. Of these cases, people born in 1976-198 9 were predominantly affected.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the immunity to measles in the aforesaid age group.


METHODS
The serum samples were selected from the serum bank in which material collected from the general population living in 5 provinces in Poland is stored. These samples were collected from patients hospitalized due to emergencies in 2010-2011. The antibody titre against measles was determined in each serum sample by ELISA test (Genzyme Virotech). Linear regression models using log-transformed antibody titres were used to compare the values.


RESULTS
The serum samples collected from 483 persons, including 111 females and 372 males were tested. All patients had antibody titres exceeding 0.5 IU/ml. The antibody titre was statistically significantly associated with the vaccination coverage in each age group in particular province.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest good immunity to measles in the general population in Poland. The disparities between randomly selected provinces demonstrated a relation with the coverage rates as well as the differences in measles incidence which is observed recently between these provinces.
Agata
A
Makówka
Magdalena
M
Rosińska
Włodzimierz
W
Gut
Bogumiła
B
Litwińska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D007074:Immunoglobulin G