The duration and strength of postvaccinal measles immunity

A prolonged immunoepidemiological follow-up of a large group of children immunized against measles revealed a high epidemiological efficacy of a single vaccination. Cases of measles were registered only among those vaccinees in whose blood sera no specific hemagglutinins were detectable by titration with 4 hemagglutinating units of measles antigen prior to the disease. The study showed that groups of children seronegative with respect to measles appeared, as a rule, after unsatisfactory immunization and not due to loss of postvaccinal immunity with time. Properly immunized children in whom the formation of antimeasles antibodies had occurred in response to the injection of live measles vaccine retained postvaccinal immunity for more that 15 years (the term of observation).     

Immunological effectiveness of a booster inoculation against measles in children remaining seronegative after vaccination

Booster immunization against measles with a highly immunogenic vaccine leads to the development of prolonged postvaccinal immunity lasting at least 6-7 years (the term of observation) in the groups of children found to be seronegative after the titration of their blood sera with 1 hemagglutinating unit (HAU) of the antigen. The booster immunization of children in whose blood sera the minimal concentrations of antibodies can be determined in the presence of 1 HAU of the antigen (seronegative in the presence of 4 HAU) is less effective. The serological checks of immunized children entering preschool institutions and the primary grades at schools and the subsequent booster immunization of children found to be seronegative will lead to a further decrease in measles morbidity.     

沪191麻疹疫苗免疫持久性和影响因素的评价

１９９１～１９９８年,我们对荆州区川店镇５０３名６～１５月龄儿童进行了现行沪１９１麻疹疫苗血清流行病学效果观察,结果表明,初次免疫后１个月麻疹ＩｇＧ抗体阳转率为９１６５％,ＧＭＴ为１∶２６６７４,达保护滴度者比例为４６５％。随着时间的推移,第４年上述指标迅速下降到４６８６％、１∶１２７４和１８５％,第６年时低至２９４３％、１∶４８９和１３６％。０２ｍｌ、０３ｍｌ和０５ｍｌ麻疹疫苗组的近期和远期效果是类似的,初免后１个月时ＩｇＧ滴度越高,其免疫持久性越好;初免月龄是影响麻苗免疫效果的主要原因,６月龄初免组的免疫效果明显低于≥８月龄组。结果提示麻苗８月龄初免是可行的。     

An acidic oligopeptide displayed on AAV2 improves axial muscle tropism after systemic delivery

Background

Countrywide 5.9 million, 0-11 Month old children are immunized annually by EPI (Expended Program on Immunization) against 8 vaccine preventable diseases including measles and so on. Unfortunately the basic immunity centers are not uniform throughout the country. Each center provides services to about 27000 people which is inadequate. The purpose of this study was to explore the development of EPI Pakistan in terms of immunization of measles.

Methods

Nucleotide sequences were analyzed by neighbor joining method (bootstrap test) using Bio- edit and MEGA-5 software to find evolutionary relationship between wild type measles strain and vaccine strain (Edmonston strain) used in Pakistan. For statistical analysis of data SPSS 16 was used.

Results

Currently 1.3 vaccinators are working at each U C (union council) which according to national EPI policy should be at least 2. About 56% and 44% children of age 0-11 months did not received second dose of measles in the last two years respectively. Out of these 4231 cases which were reported last year, 1370 have received their first dose of measles vaccine.

Conclusion

Seroconversion and seroprevalence study of the vaccine and field strain of measles virus is needed to confirm whether its failure is due to service unavailability or vaccine in-affectivity.     

Study of combined vaccination against yellow fever and measles in infants from six to nine months

A study has been carried out in the Ivory Coast to assess the efficacy of a combined vaccine against yellow fever and measles relative to that of each vaccine administered separately. Healthy children aged six to nine months were recruited and divided into two age groups: less than seven months (group I) and more than eight months (group II). In each group, they were randomly assigned to receive either yellow fever vaccine only (A), measles vaccine only (B), or the combined vaccine (C). The serological responses to measles and yellow fever were assessed in 219 initially seronegative children 45 days after immunization. More than 90% of the children developed yellow fever haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies. Neither age nor combination with measles vaccine influenced the responses to yellow fever vaccine. Measles haemagglutinational inhibiting antibodies were found in 97% of the children and the seroconversion rate was influenced neither by age nor by combination with yellow fever vaccine. Younger infants had lower titres of measles antibody. No particular adverse reactions were notified during the follow up. This study shows that combined yellow fever and measles vaccines are immunogenic in infants from the age of six months. Controlling yellow fever in endemic areas and the prevention of measles in young infants may greatly benefit by this combination.     

Immunostructure of school-age children inoculated against measles

The mass serological survey of school children immunized against measles was carried out by means of the hemagglutination inhibition test. As a result, 20.4% of these school children were found to be seronegative, and in 9.5% of them even the minimum concentration of measles antihemagglutinins (when titrated with 1 hemagglutinating unit of the antigen) was not detected. The accumulation of a considerable seronegative (measles-susceptible) stratum among children of school age occurred due to the low immunogenic potency of some batches of live measles vaccine, used for immunization in 1973, as well as due to the formerly practiced immunization of children under 1 year of age. A direct and close dependence of focal measles morbidity among immunized children having had contacts with the source of infection on the number of children among them, found to be seronegative after titration with 1 hemagglutination unit of measles antigen, was established.     

Several physiologic features of the body and their role in the process of vaccination against measles]

The work was carried out under conditions of mass measles immunization at the polyclincs of Moscow and Dushanbe. The role of the macroorganism at the time of vaccination on the measles vaccination process was investigated. A thorough study of the anamnesis, its allergic predisposition was conducted; blood and C-RB were examined, and the content of serum immunoglobulins was determined by Macini's method. The results obtained pointed to the insufficiently complete detection of children with an altered reactivity by a simple examination by the physician alone. It was revealed that children suffering from various forms of allergy having in the anamnesis hypotrophy rickets and frequent acute respiratory diseases and chronic foci of infections had decreased indice of nonsecific immunological reactivity even at the period of clinical well-being, and could be detected only by means of laboratory methods of study. To the administration of measles vaccine such children responded not only by the development of clinical reactions of different intensity, but also by a significant reduction of antibody formation. All the aforesaid indicates a necessity of further study of the mechanism of establishment of postvaccinal measles immunity with consideration to the individual reactivity of the child organism.     

Transplacental measles immunity in infants in the 1st year of life]

A total of 187 parturients (66 with a history of measles and 121 immunized with live measles vaccine, or LMV, in childhood) and their 187 newborn infants, as well as 195 children aged up to 1 year, were examined. Antimeasles antibodies in blood sera were detected in the hemagglutination inhibition test. In all mothers with a history of measles and in their newborn infants antimeasles antibodies in different titers were detected. In mothers, formerly immunized with LMV, antimeasles antibodies were absent in 5.8% and in their newborn infants, in 6.6% of the examinees. Among children aged up to 1 year, born of formerly immunized mothers, more rapid disappearance of passive antimeasles immunity was observed. In cases of contact with measles, the serological examinations of all children born of mothers immunized with LMV should be carried out in order to protect seronegative children by passive or active immunization.     

Immunological effectiveness of a 2d revaccination against diphtheria performed at intervals extended up to 7-10 years

The present article deals with the data on the duration of antidiphtheria immunity, induced by the primary cycle of immunization with adsorbed DPT vaccine, with the aim of considering the problems of optimizing the immunization schedule for children. The prolongation of the interval before the second booster immunization to 7-10 years produces no negative influence on the effectiveness of immunization. Besides, the study has shown that after the main complex of immunizations with adsorbed DPT vaccine protective immunity to diphtheria is retained in 90.3-96.8% of children covered by this study for 9-10 years. These data point to high immunological effectiveness of adsorbed DPT vaccine and to the possibility of prolonging the intervals between booster immunizations to 10 years, as well as decreasing the number of booster immunizations in the immunization schedule for children.     

A calendar of prophylactic inoculations in wide practical use

The validity of immunizations, made in due time in children aged up to 7 years in accordance with the approved immunization schedule, is analyzed in this work. The content of antibodies to diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis antigens in children immunized in accordance with the old and new schedules has been studied. This study has revealed that the injection of adsorbed DPT vaccine to children aged 3-4 months induces fully valid immune response to all antigens under study. The level of measles and parotitis antibodies after the injections of measles and parotitis vaccines, introduced separately and simultaneously, has been measured. The simultaneous administration of these preparations did not decrease the levels of immunity to parotitis and measles.     

潍坊市2007-2012年消除麻疹策略与效果评价

目的了解潍坊市2007-2012年麻疹疫情流行规律,为消除麻疹策略提供科学依据。方法采用描述性流行病学方法,研究探讨潍坊市2007-2012年麻疹流行规律。结果2007-2012年潍坊市报告麻疹确诊病例385例,均为散发病例,无死亡病例,年均发病率为0．72／10万,其中2008、2010年出现两个发病高峰,发病率分别为1．49／10万、1．17／10万,2012年发病率降至0．033／10万。3-5月为发病高峰,病例主要集中在寿光、诸城、安丘、青州四个市,占72．73％（280／385）。发病年龄最小2个月,最大63岁,病例年龄以〈1岁婴儿和20-44岁成年人为主。职业以民工、工人、农民和散居儿童为主,民工、工人和农民所占比例平均为52．47％（202／385）;散居儿童所占比例平均为22．08％（85／385）;民工、工人、农民和散居儿童发病人群所占比例逐渐升高,托幼儿童和学生逐渐降低。≥8月龄病例中有明确麻疹疫苗免疫史者96例,占26．74％;其中8月龄～14岁有明确麻疹免疫史者66例,占该年龄组病例的66％。结论潍坊市麻疹发病年龄构成以小于1岁婴儿和20～44岁成年人为主,出现向两极移动现象,1岁以下婴幼儿发病呈上升趋势。今后要提高常规免疫接种率和及时接种率,降低小年龄儿童麻疹发病率,适时对重点地区、重点人群开展麻疹疫苗强化免疫,消除免疫空白。     

Vaccination coverage in hard to reach Roma children in Slovenia

The results of the retrospective analysis of data on vaccination coverage in the preschool-aged and school-aged Roma children (436 preschool and 551 schoolchildren) in three geographical regions of Slovenia were analyzed to establish the differences concerning coverage for specific vaccinations: poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella between the two generation. The data were obtained from health records, immunization records (Vaccination booklet) and National Computerized Immunization System (CEPI 2000). Vaccination coverage was calculated by comparing the number of children eligible for immunization with the number of vaccinated children. This article performs the log-rank statistical test, also known as the Mantel-Haenszel test. Log rang test is comparing survival curves for two generations. Preschool-aged Roma children showed higher vaccination coverage than the school-aged Roma generation. There was no significance difference in the generations of preschool aged and school aged Roma children fully vaccinated against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. Rubella vaccination was significantly lower in the school aged Roma generation. Only 33% of school aged Roma population received two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Vaccination coverage of preschool Roma children in Slovenia against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) were significantly lower then the national vaccination coverage for preschool aged Slovenia children. Many joint efforts will have to be made to improve the vaccination coverage in Roma communities.     

A long-term follow-up study on the efficacy of further attenuated live measles vaccine, Biken CAM vaccine

Antibody persistence was measured in 39 children in an open community 12-13 years after immunization against measles with further attenuated live vaccine, Biken CAM. Serum samples of the children taken every two or three years after vaccination had higher, lower, or the same HI antibody titers as those in samples taken 6 weeks after vaccination. These differences reflected a decrease in the titer in some children and subclinical natural reinfection in others. However, all the children still retained detectable antibody in 12 or 13 years after vaccination, indicating long-term persistence of immunity after immunization with Biken CAM vaccine. For evaluation of the protective efficacy of the vaccine, matched controls were studied during the same period. Serological examination revealed that 97.5% of the controls were infected with measles and contracted the disease. In contrast, none of the vaccinees developed clinical infection after close contact with measles patients.     

梅州市两次麻疹疫苗强化免疫效果分析

目的综合评估分析梅州市两次麻疹疫苗强化免疫效果,为消除麻疹提供科学依据。方法综合分析麻疹疫苗强化免疫现场调查资料、评估法定传染病报告系统中麻疹发病率的变化;随机对辖区内1～12岁健康儿童216名,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)进行强化免疫前及完成二次强化免疫后麻疹lgG抗体水平监测。结果监测人群完成二次强化免疫后麻疹IgG抗体阳性率达100.00%(216/216),2009年强化组、2010年强化组麻疹IgG抗体保护率和几何平均滴度(GMT)分别为82.08%、87.62%和1958.83、2050.26,均显著高于强化免疫前;2009年强化免疫后麻疹年发病率由强化免疫前五年平均发病率1.71/10万下降至0.22/10万,下降率87.13%,2010年强化后麻疹年发病率再次下降(0.039/10万),下降率82.27%。结论梅州市两次麻疹疫苗强化免疫效果显著,均大幅度降低了麻疹发病率、提高了人群麻疹抗体水平。     

Recurring measles epidemic in Vietnam 2005-2009: implication for strengthened control strategies

Background: Measles remains a serious vaccine preventable cause of mortality in developing nations. Vietnam is aiming to achieve the level of immunity required to eliminate measles by maintaining a high coverage of routine first vaccinations in infants, routine second vaccinations at school entry and supplementary local campaigns in high-risk areas. Regular outbreaks of measles are reported, during 2005-2009.Methods: National measles case-based surveillance data collected during 2005-June 2009 was analyzed to assess the epidemiological trend and risk factors associated with measles outbreak in Vietnam.Results: Of the 36,282 measles suspected cases reported nationwide, only 7,086 cases were confirmed through laboratory examination. Although cyclical outbreaks occurred between 2005 and 2009, there was no definite trend in measles outbreaks during these periods. Overall, 2438 of measles confirmed cases were among children ≤5 years and 3068 cases were among people ≥16 years. The distribution with respect to gender skewed towards male (3667 cases) significant difference was not observed (P= 0.1693). Unsurprisingly, 4493 of the confirmed cases had no history of vaccination (X² <0.01). The northern and highland regions were identified as the main endemic foci and the spatial distribution changed with time. The occurrence of cases, in a considerable proportion of vaccinated population, is not only a reflection of the high vaccination coverage in Vietnam but also portrays a possibility of less than 100% vaccine efficacy. More so, in order to prevent measles in adults, high-risk groups must be identified and catch-up for selected groups selected.Conclusions: This study therefore reinforces the need for continued improvement of surveillance system and to probe into the possible role of changes in age-distribution of cases if the effective control of measles is to be achieved.     

Epidemiological and immunological study of the foci of measles infection

Anamnestic data in respect to measles failed to correspond to the results of serological examination of contacts at the foci of the given infection. The collective immunity level in children's institutions is inadequate for the prevention of measles outbreaks. The incidence of the disease depended both on the level of immunity among the children and on the duration of presence of the source of infection in the focus. Live measles vaccine protected 90 percent of the vaccinated children from contracting the disease in the foci. At the very beginning of the postvaccinal period immunization defects were revealed in 26.5 percent of the vaccinated children who fell ill with measles. Morbidity index among the vaccinated individuals constituted 3.8 percent. One of the causes of measles contraction by the vaccinated individuals was the loss of postvaccinal immunity. Systematic control over the antimeasles immunity level with the aid of serological investigations is necessary for the purpose of detection of persons sensitive to measles in children's collective bodies.     

The validation of the expediency of a review of the times for revaccinating children against measles

Basing on the results of seroepidemiological study, carried out in two districts of Moscow by different methods, cluster selection method including, the authors have developed the following recommendations aimed at improving the strategy of revaccination against measles: (1) selective revaccination of only seronegative children or those with poor antimeasles immunity should be carried out, thus making it possible to reduce the number of susceptible children and diminish the risk of postimmunization reactions and complications; (2) when determining the groups of children to be revaccinated and the age suitable for revaccination, one should bear in mind the specific local features of the epidemic process in measles and the morbidity values, as well as the data on antimeasles immunity in children of different age groups; (3) serologic monitoring of the quality and immunologic effectiveness of different batches of live measles vaccine permits timely removal of nonstandard batches from practical use, thus improving the efficacy of vaccinal prophylaxis of measles.     

Immunological effectiveness of secondary revaccination against tetanus performed at prolonged intervals

After primary immunization with adsorbed DPT vaccine antitetanus immunity was retained for 9-10 years in 90.6-98.4% of children covered by this study. The second booster immunization of children against tetanus with adsorbed DT toxoid with reduced antigen content, made at an interval prolonged to 7-10 years under the conditions of lower antitoxic immunity, ensured a high level of intense antitetanus immunity. These data point to the possibility of prolonging the interval between booster immunizations to 9-10 years and reducing the number of injections and antigenic load.     

The antidiphtheria and antitetanus immunities of children of the Maritime Territory after the use of adsorbed DTP vaccine and adsorbed DT-m anatoxin]

The state of collective immunity to diphtheria and tetanus in children of preschool age, depending on the kind of vaccine preparation used for immunization, was studied. The immunological potency of adsorbed DPT vaccine (i.e. its capacity of forming prolonged and stable basic immunity) was shown to be higher in comparison with the potency of adsorbed DT toxoid with reduced antigen content (DT-R). The study revealed that in all groups of children the level of antitetanus immunity was higher than the level of antidiphtheria immunity, and 3 years later its decrease was less pronounced. A stricter approach to giving medical grounds for the use of low-reactive adsorbed DT-R in the immunization of children belonging to groups of risk is recommended.     

The control of viral diseases in the developing countries with the use of existing vaccines]

In developing countries, every year about 70 million measles cases occur with 1.5 million deaths, over 200,000 children contract paralytic poliomyelitis, 50 million people get infected with viral B hepatitis causing over 1 million deaths, and several thousand people perish because of yellow fever according to WHO data. At the present time, there are 12 vaccines against viruses: vaccines against German measles and mumps in addition to the above. The universal immunization program (UIP) of WHO targets measles and polio. In 1989, a WHO resolution envisioned a 90% immunization coverage by the year 2000. Measles vaccination is recommended for children aged 9-23 months, since most children have maternal antibodies during the first 3-13 months of age. The Edmonston-Zagreb vaccine provided seroconversion of 92, 96, and 98% for 18 months vs. the 66, 76, and 91% rate of the Schwarz vaccine. In the US, measles incidence increased from 1497 cases in 1983 to 6382 cases in 1988 to over 14,000 cases in 1989, prompting second vaccination in children of school age. The highest incidence of polio was registered in Southeast Asia, although it declined from 1 case/100,000 population in 1975 to .5/100,000 in 1988. Oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) provides protection: there is only 1 case/2.5 million vaccinations. Hepatitis B has infected over 2 billion people. About 300 million are carriers, with a prevalence of 20% in African, Asian, and Pacific region populations. Plasmatic and bioengineered recombinant vaccine type have been used in 30 million people. The first dose is given postnatally, the second at 1-2 months of age, and the 3rd at 1 year of age. Yellow fever vaccine was 50 years old in 1988, yet during 1986-1988 there were 5395 cases with 3172 deaths in Africa and South America. Vaccination provides 90-95% seroconversion, and periodic follow-up vaccinations under UIP could eradicate these infections and their etiologic agents.