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Background: According to the 'hygiene hypothesis', an increase in microbial exposure in childhood leads to a T-helper cell 1 (Th1) predominant immune response and protection against asthma and atopic conditions., Aims: To assess the prevalence of asthma and other atopic conditions in Somali immigrants and to determine the humoral immune response to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine viruses in Somali immigrants with asthma., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Study subjects were Somali immigrants who were born and lived in Africa during childhood and immigrated to the USA. The subjects had participated in a previous MMR vaccine study. Asthma was ascertained using predetermined asthma criteria after a thorough medical record review. An atopic condition was determined from physician-diagnosed ICD codes. Virus-specific IgG levels in response to the MMR vaccine viruses were determined using an enzyme immunoassay., Results: Of the 62 eligible subjects, 33 (53%) were female and 29 (47%) were male; 10 (16%) had asthma and 22 (35%) had other atopic conditions. There was no difference in the rubella (p=0.150) and measles (p=0.715) virus-specific IgG levels between the subjects with and without asthma. Mumps virus-specific IgG antibody levels were lower in those with asthma than in those without asthma (mean±SE 2.08±0.28 vs. 3.06±0.14, p=0.005)., Conclusions: Our study results may not support the hygiene hypothesis. In addition, the previously reported abnormal T-cell development in Caucasian children with atopy can be considered even in Somali immigrants.

Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of varicella antibody among recent Somali refugees living in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and to estimate the risk of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection in this group., Subjects and Methods: We obtained blood samples from the study subjects, along with demographic information, immunization records, and vaccine-preventable disease history. Serum samples were tested using a whole-virus IgG VZV-specific commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. This study was completed in 1998., Results: Overall, 200 Somali refugees, comprising 33 extended families, were interviewed, with 193 providing adequate blood samples. Thirty-five subjects (18%) were seronegative for varicelia. Males had a significantly higher seronegativity rate (25% [n = 23]) compared with females (12% [n = 12]; P = .02); however, this association disappeared after adjustment for age and varicella infection history. Five percent (5/92) of adults were seronegative compared with 30% (30/101) of all children (P < .001). Eight percent (5/61) of the adult females were seronegative, whereas none (0/31) of the adult males were seronegative. Conversely, 38% (23/60) of male children were seronegative compared with 17% (7/41) of female children (P < .001)., Conclusion: These results demonstrate a high prevalence of varicella seronegativity among Somali refugees who have immigrated to an endemic area. We recommend instituting improved education regarding varicella among Somali communities and increasing vaccine uptake or routine testing for serum varicella antibody to prevent VZV-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in adolescents, adult refugees, and women of childbearing age.

Objectives: To compare measles, mumps, and rubella antibody levels in Somali immigrant, Hispanic migrant, and US children in Rochester, Minn, and to determine whether parental vaccination reports predict seropositivity., Subjects and Methods: From 1995 to 1997, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis using measles, mumps, and rubella antibody levels obtained from a sample of Somali, Hispanic, and Rochester children. Volunteers provided blood samples, vaccination histories, and demographic information. We assessed differences in measles, mumps, and rubella antibody levels among the 3 groups of children and calculated positive and negative predictive values to determine whether parental report of vaccination predicted seropositivity., Results: Study participants included 79 Hispanic migrant, 69 Somali immigrant, and 730 Rochester children. Somali children reported vaccination at significantly older ages compared with Hispanic or Rochester children (P<.001). Most children were seropositive for all 3 antibodies. Parental reports of vaccination had high positive predictive values (71%-100%) but low negative predictive values (0%-50%)., Conclusion: Somali and Hispanic children were as likely as Rochester children to be seropositive for measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies despite poor documentation of vaccination. Somali children, however, tended to receive vaccinations at significantly older ages than Hispanic and Rochester children.