Isolation of measles virus below 4 months of age during an outbreak in Pune, India

Abstract

This article reports the isolation of a measles virus from infants under 4 months of age during an outbreak in an orphanage at Pune, India, in 1996. With a total population of 24 orphanages, 6 inmates showed the signs and symptoms of measles; 4 were under 4 months old and the other 2 were 7 and 11 months old, respectively. Bronchopneumonia and weight loss were observed as the main complications of the disease. Isolation of the measles virus was done by obtaining throat swabs, skin scrapings, and blood samples from the victims. Serum testing of the 6 cases showed a positive result for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. During the same period, mothers of 4 IgM-positive infants were screened for antibodies; 3 mothers were negative for measles-specific antibodies. Because of this, lack of maternal antibodies, malnutrition, and crowding were accounted for the outbreak of measles in the orphanage. These findings reflect a need to assess the prevalence of measles within this age group and develop prevention strategies for measles.