Measles immunity in healthcare workers of an Italian hospital.
Healthcare workers
Immunity
Measles
Journal
Journal of infection and public health
ISSN: 1876-035X
Titre abrégé: J Infect Public Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101487384
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Aug 2020
Aug 2020
Historique:
received:
17
01
2020
revised:
16
03
2020
accepted:
06
04
2020
pubmed:
2
5
2020
medline:
16
3
2021
entrez:
2
5
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
In Italy, 4991 cases of measles were reported in 2017 and 322 involved healthcare workers (HCWs). These professionals are at high risk of infection and transmission of virus both to other hospital staff and importantly, to patients, some of whom may be at risk of severe illness and complications. According to the Italian National Immunization and Prevention Plan, all HCWs should have demonstrable evidence of immunity to measles and specific hospital surveillance is recommended. Given a recent measles outbreak recorded in Italy, which also involved HCWs, the aim of this study has been to assess the measles immunization status of the Perugia General Hospital's HCWs. A survey on all hospital staff was carried out, using a questionnaire to obtain information on demographic characteristics, personal history of measles and self-reported vaccination status, and offering the serological testing to HCWs who did not know their immune status. Among the 1714 HCWs included in the study, 1207 (70%) were protected against measles (due to vaccination or natural infection), and 507 (30%) did not know their immune status. Of these, 461 subjects accepted a serological control, while 46 refused. Protective measles-specific IgG antibody titres were documented in 410/461 (89%) HCWs, and the percentage of immune subjects decreased with the age. Our study shows that in Perugia General Hospital, 26% of HCWs under the age of 30 were not protected against measles. In Italy, campaigns promoting vaccination of HCWs are needed to prevent transmission of this infection in hospital setting.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
In Italy, 4991 cases of measles were reported in 2017 and 322 involved healthcare workers (HCWs). These professionals are at high risk of infection and transmission of virus both to other hospital staff and importantly, to patients, some of whom may be at risk of severe illness and complications. According to the Italian National Immunization and Prevention Plan, all HCWs should have demonstrable evidence of immunity to measles and specific hospital surveillance is recommended. Given a recent measles outbreak recorded in Italy, which also involved HCWs, the aim of this study has been to assess the measles immunization status of the Perugia General Hospital's HCWs.
METHODS
METHODS
A survey on all hospital staff was carried out, using a questionnaire to obtain information on demographic characteristics, personal history of measles and self-reported vaccination status, and offering the serological testing to HCWs who did not know their immune status.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Among the 1714 HCWs included in the study, 1207 (70%) were protected against measles (due to vaccination or natural infection), and 507 (30%) did not know their immune status. Of these, 461 subjects accepted a serological control, while 46 refused. Protective measles-specific IgG antibody titres were documented in 410/461 (89%) HCWs, and the percentage of immune subjects decreased with the age.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that in Perugia General Hospital, 26% of HCWs under the age of 30 were not protected against measles. In Italy, campaigns promoting vaccination of HCWs are needed to prevent transmission of this infection in hospital setting.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32354533
pii: S1876-0341(20)30436-6
doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2020.04.001
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1123-1125Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.