Abstract • 82
Background: Swedish children are vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) at 18 months of age with a booster at 12 years. 98% of vaccinated children have been shown to have neutralising antibodies against measles before the booster. The aim of this study was to analyse the B-cell memory repertoire through measurement of antibodies against MMR in children treated for acute lymphatic leukaemia (ALL).
Patients and methods: Twenty-eight children (14 men), (median (range)) 13 (9-24) years of age, in complete remission, treated according to the Nordic protocol for ALL during the period of 1987-1992 were included in the study. None of the children received radiotherapy. Blood samples for the analysis of MMR were obtained 8 (5-10) years after completed treatment. Data regarding vaccination before and after completed treatment was obtained by questionnaire.
Results: In the children vaccinated against MMR, antibodies after treatment were lacking against MMR in 29% (8/28), 35% (10/28) and 21% (6/28) of the subjects, respectively.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that a high proportion of children treated for ALL have lost their capacity to produce functional antibodies against MMR. These children are at risk of developing active MMR and may act as a reservoir for MMR in the community.
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Nilsson, A., Nordin, M., Chiodi, F. et al. Immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella After Acute Lymphatic Leukemia in Childhood. Pediatr Res 45 (Suppl 5), 756 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199905010-00112
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199905010-00112