CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF MEASLES IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE ALTAI TERRITORY

Objective. To analyze the results of clinical and epidemiological monitoring of measles in pregnant women in the Altai Territory to define their value during epidemiological surveillance over measles infection as a whole. Material and methods. The authors made a retrospective analysis of the incidence of measles over 18 years (1992—2010) and an analysis of measles vaccination coverage in the Altai Territory in 2005—2010. Along with clinical studies, the package of diagnostic methods for measles comprised quantification of specific IgG and IgM to its virus, estimation of the avidity index for specific IgG, and identification of measles virus RNA. Results. A system for clinical and epidemiological monitoring of measles in pregnant women was developed and introduced. Examination of pregnant women indicated a diverse spectrum of immunity to measles virus. The majority (98.0%) of the study group pregnant women had high-avidity antibodies in the protective titer, which resulted from prior infection or prior vaccination. There was a further decline in the incidence of measles in the Altai territory; all cases of acute measles were confirmed by laboratory tests. Conclusion. The measles infection monitoring system developed and introduced in the Altai territory may serve as a model of epidemiological surveillance and control over intrauterine infections as a whole.

clinical and epidemiological monitoring, measles, pregnant women, Altai Territory