Seroprevalence of measles, mumps, rubella, varicella–zoster and hepatitis A–C in Emirati medical students

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Mohamud Sheek-Hussein¹  Fatima Al Maskari¹  Rayhan Hashmey²  Abdul-Kader Souid³  Ahmed R Alsuwaidi³  Leena Amiri⁴ 

[1] Department of Community Medicine, UAE University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 17666, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates;Department of Infectious Diseases, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates;Department of Pediatrics, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates;Department of Psychiatry, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates;

关键词: Medical student;    Immunization;    Blood borne;    Transmission;    Prevention;    UAE;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-12-1047

 received in 2012-05-21, accepted in 2012-11-27,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to assess the seroprevalence of vaccine-preventable infections in Emirati medical students, and to provide scientific evidence for implementation of a cost-effective immunization guideline and policy for medical school admission.MethodsThis prospective cohort study involved 261 (61% female) Emirati medical students (preclinical and clinical) attending the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAE University. Data on vaccination and history of infectious diseases were collected from participants. Blood samples were collected between July 1, 2011 and May 30, 2012 for serological testing and QuantiFERON®-TB assay.ResultsAll students tested negative for infection with hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus. The prevalence of seropositivity to rubella virus was 97%, varicella–zoster virus 88%, mumps virus 84%, measles virus 54%, hepatitis B virus (HBV) 48%, and hepatitis A virus 21%. The QuantiFERON®-TB test was positive in 8% and indeterminate in 2%. Forty percent of students received HBV vaccine at birth; their HBV titers (mean ± SD) were 17.2 ± 62.9 mIU/mL (median = 1.64). The remaining 60% received it at school and their titers were 293.4 ± 371.0 mIU/mL (median = 107.7, p = 0.000).ConclusionAbout 50% of students were susceptible to HBV and measles virus; therefore, pre-matriculation screening for antibodies against these viruses is highly recommended. Moreover, tuberculosis screening is necessary because of the high influx of expatriates from endemic areas. Students with inadequate protection should be reimmunized prior to contact with patients.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Sheek-Hussein et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012