Vaccine-induced immunity in elite athletes undergoing respiratory assessment

Abstract

Background: Respiratory illness accounts for the greatest amount of lost training and competition time for Olympic athletes. Given the nature of athletes’ lifestyles, involving frequent and long-haul travel alongside close proximity to large crowds during competitions, vaccine-induced humoral immunity to common viral and respiratory pathogens is critical. The aim of this study was to analyse vaccine-induced immune responses in a cohort of elite athletes.

Methods: 115 elite athletes from a range of British Olympic training programmes were recruited, with bloods collected and processed. Serum samples were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for IgG responses against antigens for the following pathogens; measles, mumps, rubella, pneumococcus, tetanus, CMV and EBV, with results expressed as positive or negative for IgG response.

Results: Anti-measles and anti-rubella IgG responses were found in 93.8% and 94.8% percent of elite athletes respectively, however anti-mumps IgG was only detected in 74.8% of athletes, falling well below the level required for herd immunity. Anti-tetanus, anti-EBV and anti-pneumococcus IgG responses were also evident in a high percentage of athletes (>90%), whilst less than 30% of athletes had positive anti-CMV IgG responses.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that up to a quarter of elite athletes may not have protection against mumps in particular, with levels far below that required for herd immunity. Given recent increased global prevalence of mumps outbreaks, these results suggest a screening and vaccination program may be advisable to prevent outbreaks within elite athletes.