Determination of measles, mumps, and rubella immunization status using oral fluid samples.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if oral fluid samples can be used to reliably assess protective blood levels of antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella.

DESIGN

A comparison of matched serum and oral fluid samples from asymptomatic subjects in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies. A longitudinal study compared matched serum and oral fluid samples from 11 subjects after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination.

SETTING

Five US clinical sites with samples tested at the reporting laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 157 asymptomatic subjects including 55 subjects younger than 18 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS

The presence of antibodies in oral fluid specimens correlated with that in serum with the following levels of sensitivity and specificity: measles, 97% and 100%, respectively; mumps, 94% and 94%, respectively; rubella, 98% and 98%, respectively. Longitudinal studies of subjects after vaccination showed similar seroconversion profiles in oral fluid and serum samples.

CONCLUSION

Protective blood levels of antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella can be assessed by means of an oral fluid sample with good reliability.