Abstract
【Objective】Measles or varicella contracted by immunocompromised hosts is aggravated. In Japan, the outbreak of measles and varicella is ongoing.
Children with chronic renal failure must be immunized before they undergo renal transplantation. However, the antibody titers often decrease later.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in antibody titers for measles and varicella after renal transplantation in children.
【Methods】This study included 44 patients who underwent renal transplantation during childhood and are currently visiting our hospital. Antibody titers for measles and varicella were measured in the outpatient department irregularly.
Immunoglobulin G antibodies against measles and varicella were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An antibody titer under 2.0 enzyme immunoassay units was considered seronegative and one between 4.0 and 2.0 was considered pseudo-seropositive.
【Results】The measles antibody did not correlated with patient age, but significantly did correlate with the transplantation period. In 25% of the patients, the measles antibody titer decreased to a pseudoseropositive or seronegative status.
The varicella antibody titer correlated with meither patient age nor transplantation period. In 12% of the patients, however, the varicella antibody titer decreased to a pseudoseropositive or seronegative status.
【Conclusion】The antibody titers for measles and varicella tended to decrease in children after renal transplantation. In Japan, the outbreak of measles and varicella is ongoing. Therefore precautions, such the vaccinations of children undergoing renal transplantations should be taken.
