Seropositivity Status in Patients with Suspected Measles: Are We Going Back to The Beginning with Measles?

Background: Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause serious health problems. While measles can be eradicated through vaccination in our country and worldwide, in recent years, vaccine refusal, difficulties in accessing vaccines during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and insufficient immunity in young adults have brought the “measles virus” back into the spotlight. The aim of this study was to compare ELISA results for measles IgM and IgG in samples from patients examined at our hospital in in 2024 who were suspected of having measles, with respect to variables such as age, gender, and season. Methods: In serum samples taken from patients with suspected measles who came to Kars Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Measles IgG, measles IgM tests (Anti-Measles Virus IgM, Anti-Measles Virus IgG) were studied with kits of the same device in the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method, and the results were evaluated in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Results: In our study, 30 (63.8%) of 47 patients tested were seropositive for measles IgG antibodies. Measles IgM antibodies were detected in 2 (4.3%) of the 47 patients tested. One patient had intermediate values for both measles IgG and IgM. Conclusion: In our study, no significant relationships were found between age, gender, and season and the Measles IgG and IgM tests. In our study, 34% of the patients in Kars province with measles antibody responses were found to be susceptible to measles infection.