Detection of anti-yellow fever virus immunoglobulin M antibodies at 3-4 years following yellow fever vaccination

Abstract

The duration of anti-yellow fever (YF) virus immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies following YF vaccination is unknown, making it difficult to interpret positive IgM antibody results in previously vaccinated travelers. We evaluated the frequency and predictors of YF IgM antibody positivity 3-4 years following YF vaccination. Twenty-nine (73%) of 40 participants had YF IgM antibodies 3-4 years postvaccination. No demographic or exposure variables were predictive of YF IgM positivity. However, persons who were YF IgM positive at 3-4 years postvaccination had earlier onset viremia and higher neutralizing antibody geometric mean titers at 1 month and 3-4 years postvaccination compared with persons w..