Prevalence of anti-measles antibodies in infants from 0 to 9 months: Case of three hospitals in the city of Douala (Cameroon)

Abstract

Background: Measles is an acute infection, usually occurring in childhood, caused by a virus of the Paramyxoviridae family. Infants born to mothers immunized against measles benefit from the transplacental transfer of anti-measles antibodies of the IgG type, and are in principle protected against infection in the first months of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on infants born at term and not vaccinated against measles, in three hospitals in the city of Douala (General Hospital, Gynaecologic Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital and Laquintinie Hospital). The qualitative and quantitative research of type G immunoglobulins in serum or plasma was carried out by the ELISA technique using the "Measles Virus IgGTM" kits, followed by a colorimetric reading. Sociodemographic and biological data were collected and analyzed.

Results: A total of 178 infants were recruited of which 54.5% were male. The average age was 3 months ± 2.6 and the most common age group was 0 to 1 month. Antibody levels ranged from 8 to 5,700 mIU/ml and 39.9% of infants had protective levels against measles. The presence of antibodies based on age was 81.1% in 0-1 months infants, 51.1% 1-3 months, and 8.2% 3-6 months, respectively. Only one of them was protected in the 6 to 9 month age group. We observed a significant association between infant age, maternal history of measles and the rate of protected infants.

Conclusion: The frequency of maternal antibodies in infants was low. Strategies should be put in place to strengthen the fight against this resurgent disease.