Nonclassic measles infections in an immune population exposed to measles during a college bus trip

J Med Virol. 1998 Dec;56(4):337-41. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9071(199812)56:4<337::aid-jmv9>3.0.co;2-3.

Abstract

This study investigated the frequency of mild or asymptomatic measles infections among 44 persons exposed to a student with measles during a 3-day bus trip using two buses. Questionnaires and serum samples were obtained 26-37 days after the trip. All participants had detectable measles-neutralizing antibodies, and none developed classic measles symptoms. Ten persons (23%) were IgM positive for measles, indicating recent infection. Among previously vaccinated IgM-negative persons, those who rode on bus A with the index case-patient had significantly higher microneutralization titers than those on bus B (P= .001), suggesting that some persons on bus A were infected but were IgM negative at the time of the study. Mild or asymptomatic measles infections are probably very common among measles-immune persons exposed to measles cases and may be the most common manifestation of measles during outbreaks in highly immune populations.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Measles / epidemiology*
  • Measles / immunology*
  • Measles / pathology
  • Measles Vaccine / immunology*
  • Measles virus / immunology*
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Measles Vaccine