MEASLES HEAMAGLUTINATION INHIBITION (HI) ANTIBODIES TITERS AMONG PERSONS AGE 2-21YEARS IN LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE, NORTH CENTRAL OF NIGERIA (Published)
Background: Childhood measles infection, despite vaccination programs, continues to experience outbreaks in Nigeria. The infection which formerly affect young children, now affect even older persons in colleges. This study was therefore, carried out to identify the measles HI antibodies titers among persons age 2-21years around Lafia, in Lafia Local Government area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from a total of 235 persons aged 2-21 years between the months of April and October,2012, and were tested for measles antibodies using the heamagglutination inhibition serological technique, after obtaining ethical clearance, informed consent and the records of measles vaccination of the subjects. Result: Of the 235 subjects, 112 (47.7%) were females and 123 (52.3%) were males. Overall 222 (94.5%) had antibodies to measles, out of which 106 (45.1%) were females and 116 (49.4%) were males. The heamagglutination inhibition detectable antibodies titers and percentage occurrences were as follows; 4(6.8), 8(6.0), 16(7.2), 32(34.1), 64(38.3), 128(0.8) and 512(0.4). Conclusion: This result indicates the efficacy of the Edmond strain of the live attenuated vaccine used in the State and the immune status of the children to measles infection. A study that will involve larger sample size and the entire region to identify high risk pocket areas is recommended.
Keywords: Antibodies Titers, HI, Measles, Nigeria
