Seroprotection of Measles, Rubella, Pertussis and its Relation with Occurrence of COVID-19 among a Cohort of University Female Students

Abstract

Background:: Antibody titres against several infections are hypothesized to be protective against COVID-19 due to cross-immunity. The study intends to assess the relationship between historical data on measles, rubella, pertussis antibody titres and the occurrence of self-reported COVID-19. Methods:: The study was conducted as an online cross-sectional survey which was compared with historical data of antibody titers. The university female students who had participated in our previous study evaluating seroprevalence of measles, rubella and pertussis antibody titres were contacted online for the survey. The online questionnaire was sent to collect details on COVID-19 occurrence among all the participants. The measles, rubella and pertussis titers of all participants were correlated with the present questionnaire data. All volunteers participated in the survey after online informed consent. Results:: Among the 52 responders to the questionnaire, 18 participants had been reported to be suffering from COVID-related symptoms and 12 were reported to have confirmed RT-PCR positive for COVID-19. The unpaired “t” test comparing antibody titres of measles, rubella and pertussis between COVID-19 RT PCR positive and RT PCR negative subjects did not show statistical significance. Conclusion:: There was no statistical difference between antibody titers of measles, rubella and pertussis among self-reported COVID-19 RT PCR positive and RT PCR negative university female students.