Transfer of measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies from mother to infant. Its effect on measles, mumps, and rubella immunization
H. Sato, P. Albrecht, D. W. Reynolds, S. Stagno and F. A. Ennis
Sera from 42 mother-infant pairs were examined to determine the effect of
passively acquired enhanced neutralizing (ENt) antibody on immunization.
The ENt antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella were greater in term
newborns than in their mothers, with mean ratio of 1.8:1, 1.3:1, and 1.2:1,
respectively. In 21% to 25% of the children, these antibodies persisted
until 12 months of age. When immunized with trivalent measles-mumps-rubella
vaccine, children who had persisting ENt measles and rubella titers had
significantly lower mean antibody responses than children without
detectable antibodies to the two viruses. Persisting ENt mumps antibodies
did not affect the postimmunization titers. Seroconversion rates to any of
the three viruses were not different in children with or without
preexisting ENt antibody.
