Seroprevalence of anti-polio antibodies in children from polio high-risk areas of Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey 2015–2016
Document Type
Article
Department
Paediatrics and Child Health
Abstract
Background: Pakistan is one of the 3 remaining wild poliovirus endemic countries. We collected sera from children to assess the prevalence of poliovirus antibodies in selected high-risk areas for poliovirus transmission.
Methods: Children in 2 age groups (6–11 and 36–48 months) were randomly selected between November 2015 and March 2016 in 6 areas of Pakistan (Sindh Province: Karachi and Kashmore; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province: Peshawar, Bannu and Nowshera; Punjab Province: Faisalabad). After obtaining informed consent, basic demographic and vaccination history data were collected, 1 peripheral venipuncture was obtained, and assays to detect poliovirus (PV)–neutralizing antibodies were performed.
Results: A total of 1301 children were enrolled and had peripheral blood drawn that analyzed. Study subjects were evenly distributed among survey sites and age groups. Anti-polio seroprevalence differed significantly among geographic areas (P < 0.001); in the 6–11 months group, it ranged between 89% and 98%, 58% and 95%, and 74% and 96% for PV serotypes 1, 2 and 3, respectively; in 36–48 months group, it ranged between 99% and 100%, 95% and 100%, and 92% and 100% for PV 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Having received inactivate poliovirus vaccine, malnourishment (stunting) and educational level of parents were found to be associated with presence of anti-polio antibodies.
Conclusion: The polio eradication program achieved overall high serologic protection; however, immunity gaps in young children in the high polio risk areas remain. These gaps enable sustained circulation of wild poliovirus type 1, and pose risk for emergence of vaccine-derived polioviruses. Focusing on the lowest socioeconomic strata of society, where malnutrition is most prevalent, could accelerate poliovirus eradication.
Publication (Name of Journal)
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Recommended Citation
Hussain, I.,
Mach, O.,
Habib, A.,
Bhatti, Z.,
Suhag, Z.,
Oberste, M.,
Weldon, W.,
Sutter, R.,
Soofi, S.,
Bhutta, Z.
(2017). Seroprevalence of anti-polio antibodies in children from polio high-risk areas of Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey 2015–2016. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 36(9), e230-e236.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_women_childhealth_paediatr/267