scholarly journals Waning of Maternal Antibodies against Measles Suggests a Large Window of Susceptibility in Infants in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1316
Author(s):  
Phonepaseuth Khampanisong ◽  
Maude Pauly ◽  
Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong ◽  
Molly A. Vickers ◽  
Siriphone Virachith ◽  
...  

Introduction: Measles is an endemic but largely neglected disease in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. New-borns are protected by maternal antibodies, but antibody waning before measles vaccination at 9 months of age leaves infants susceptible to infection. In this study, the susceptibility window of infants was determined to generate scientific evidence to assess the national measles immunization strategy. Methods: Between 2015 and 2016, demographic data, medical history, and blood samples were collected from 508 mother-child pairs at the provincial hospital in Vientiane. The samples were screened with a commercial kit detecting anti-measles IgG antibodies. Results: The large majority (95.7%) of the mothers were seropositive for anti-measles IgG and antibody titers of the mothers and infants were highly correlated (p < 0.01). While at birth 97.7% of the infants were seropositive, seropositivity rates decreased to 74.2% two months later to reach only 28.2% four months after birth (p < 0.01). Just before the first dose of the measles-rubella vaccine, scheduled at 9 months of age, was actually given, less than 14% of the infants were seropositive. Conclusions: This alarmingly wide susceptibility gap due to rapid maternal antibody decay leaves infants at risk of measles infection and serious disease complications. A high herd immunity is crucial to protect young infants and can be achieved through improved routine vaccination coverage and (expanded age group) supplementary immunization activities.

Author(s):  
Chantal J. Snoeck ◽  
Konstantin Evdokimov ◽  
Kinnaly Xaydalasouk ◽  
Sodaly Mong Khoune ◽  
Aurélie Sausy ◽  
...  

Heliyon ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. e07342
Author(s):  
Tomomi Kitamura ◽  
Viraneth Bouakhasith ◽  
Kongxay Phounphenghack ◽  
Chansay Pathammavong ◽  
Anonh Xeuatvongsa ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 595-597
Author(s):  
Elodie Calvez ◽  
Phommady Vetsaphong ◽  
Somphavanh Somlor ◽  
Thonglakhone Xaybounsou ◽  
Souksakhone Viengphouthong ◽  
...  

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