OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of epidemic transmission and to guide immunization policy, the seroprevalence of antibody to measles, mumps, and varicella was determined in a group of young adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1533 US Navy and Marine Corps recruits was conducted in June 1989. Antibody status was determined with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Direct sex and race adjustment to the 15- to 29-year-old US population resulted in seronegativity rates of 17.8% for measles, 12.3% for mumps, and 6.7% for varicella. Measles and mumps seronegativity rates were higher among Whites whereas varicella seronegativity was higher among non-Whites. Recruits enlisting from outside the 50 US states, especially those from island territories, were more likely to lack varicella antibody. The sensitivity of a positive history of vaccination or disease in predicting antibody status was less than 90% for all diseases. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a continued potential for epidemics, especially of measles, and the need for mandatory immunization policies. Immigrants to the United States, especially those from island territories, may be a high-risk group that could benefit from varicella vaccination.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of epidemic transmission and to guide immunization policy, the seroprevalence of antibody to measles, mumps, and varicella was determined in a group of young adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1533 US Navy and Marine Corps recruits was conducted in June 1989. Antibody status was determined with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Direct sex and race adjustment to the 15- to 29-year-old US population resulted in seronegativity rates of 17.8% for measles, 12.3% for mumps, and 6.7% for varicella. Measles and mumps seronegativity rates were higher among Whites whereas varicella seronegativity was higher among non-Whites. Recruits enlisting from outside the 50 US states, especially those from island territories, were more likely to lack varicella antibody. The sensitivity of a positive history of vaccination or disease in predicting antibody status was less than 90% for all diseases. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a continued potential for epidemics, especially of measles, and the need for mandatory immunization policies. Immigrants to the United States, especially those from island territories, may be a high-risk group that could benefit from varicella vaccination.
Authors: Salini Mohanty; Dana Perella; Aisha Jumaan; Donovan Robinson; Christine M Forke; D Scott Schmid; Mia Renwick; Foram Mankodi; Barbara Watson; Alexander G Fiks Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2013-06-04 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Gustavo H Dayan; María S Panero; Roberto Debbag; Ana Urquiza; Marta Molina; Susana Prieto; María Del Carmen Perego; Graciela Scagliotti; Diana Galimberti; Guillermo Carroli; Cristina Wolff; D Scott Schmid; Vladimir Loparev; Dalya Guris; Jane Seward Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2004-12 Impact factor: 5.948