Title:
Dynamics of Transmission of Anti-measles Antibodies Mother-infant in the City of Douala, Cameroon

Authors:
Abdou Aziz PETOUONCHI NJOYA*, Jean Pierre NDA MEFO’O, Grace NGONDI, Josiane ESSOLA, Christiane MEDI SIKE, Gabin SIMO, Achille CHUENGOUE, MBONO Ritha, Patrick ELOUNOU, Dieudonné ADIOGO, Cameroon

Abstract:

Introduction: Measles is a childhood disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in low-income countries. Mortality reduction depends on the level of immunization of the infant and therefore that of the mother. The period from birth to the 9th month of life could be a high-risk area for morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we proposed to assess the immune status of infants in respect to measles as well as the associated factors.

Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, from January 2023 to January 2025 at the General and Laquintinie Hospital of Douala. All mothers and their infants who were treated in these two hospitals were included in this study. The sampling type was consecutive and a technical sheet was used to collect sociodemographic data and vaccination history of the mother-infant. For the search for the protective titer, a sample of 5ml of venous blood was taken from adults and 1.1ml from infants; anti-measles IgG quantification was done using a sandwich Elisa technique. The protective antibody titer was ≥200 mIU/ml and the collected data were analyzed on Excel 2013, epi info 7.3, Studio R and SSPS 20 software, then the search for associated factors was done by logistic regression and also presented in the form of odds ratio; the significance threshold was set at 5%.

Results: A total of 200 infants aged 1 to 6 months and their mothers were recruited. The prevalence of a protective level (≥ 200 mIU/ml) was 16% among infants and 49% among their mothers. Breastfeeding and weight of the infant were correlated with maternal antibody levels. This was also the seen between infant age range and the dynamics of maternal antibody transmission. Among the infants' mothers, educational level, professional status as a trader and housewife, community lifestyle, occupation in contact with children under 5 years of age, history of illness, vaccination booster, and HIV status were protective factors (P < 0.005).

Conclusion: A significant proportion of infants and their mothers had antibody titers below the protective level, hence the risk of measles virus infection in the pre-vaccination period.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2025.9306