Anti-Measles Virus (MV) IgM Antibodies in Unvaccinated Children Population in Emohua, Rivers State, Nigeria
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The study sets to ascertain the seropositivity of anti-measles virus (MV)-specific IgM antibodies in unvaccinated children population of Emohua, Rivers State, Nigeria. Measles virus-specific IgM antibodies was examined using 91 sera from unvaccinated children (ages 1 month to 10 years) presenting at the Rumuewhor Primary Health Centre in Emohua, Rivers State using standard ELISA. Relevant information was obtained using a Performa specially designed for the study. Of the 91 sera assayed, 79(86.8%) were positive for anti-MV-IgM antibodies and 12(13.2%) were negative. Forty-two (87.5%) males and 37(86.0%) females were positive for anti-MV-specific IgM antibodies. Seropositivity of anti-MV-IgM antibody was higher in age-group 0-8 months (100.0%), followed by age-groups 9 months-5 years (86.0%) while age-groups 6-10 years (72.2%) had the least seropositivity. The study showed lack of immunization (p 0.05). Seronegativity of anti-MV-IgM antibodies was low (13.2%). Group-specific seronegativity was also low (10.0–41.7%) though no significant connotation amid any of the socio-demographic characteristics and seronegativity of measles IgM was observed. This further queried if truly, measles vaccination is administered widely in Nigeria and thus able to prevent severe reinfection with the wild type. This study indicates that measles remains endemic in the area studied. The presence of measles in this community with unvaccinated children population can lead to measles outbreaks in the state. Ensuring timely vaccination, high vaccination coverage, early detection and quarantine, are important issues to limit measles spread.
Source: JOURNAL OF HEALTH SCIENCE
Language: English
Topic: Virology and Viral Diseases
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2594442747