Detection of measles IgM antibodies in children at Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Measles virus IgM antibodies virus was assayed for in 270 sera from children aged 5 months to 8 years attending Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, using ELISA. Out of the 270 sera, 192(71.1%) tested positive to measles IgM and 78(28.9%) negative. The sample distribution was 137 from males, with 101(37.4%) positive and 133 from females with 91(33.7%) positive. Those aged 5 months to 2 years had the highest prevalence with a value of 86(31.9%) positive, followed by ages 3 to 5 years with 79(29.3%) positive and the least 6 to 8 years with 27(10.0%) positive. Chi square analysis of the result indicated that ineffective vaccination as a major cause of measles in these area of study with significant at P= (<0.05). The parent’s social status (occupation), location, monogamy and polygamy were also contributory to measles infection.

Keywords: Measles, IgM antibodies, children, vaccination, ELISA, Nigeria