RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Response to Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders JF In Vivo JO In Vivo FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 377 OP 382 VO 27 IS 3 A1 IVAN GENTILE A1 CARMELA BRAVACCIO A1 RAFFAELE BONAVOLTA A1 EMANUELA ZAPPULO A1 SABRINA SCARICA A1 MARIA PIA RICCIO A1 ALESSANDRO SETTIMI A1 GIUSEPPE PORTELLA A1 ANTONIO PASCOTTO A1 GUGLIELMO BORGIA YR 2013 UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/27/3/377.abstract AB Background/Aim: The etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is unknown. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination has been in the past implicated in ASD pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the rate of seropositivity and the levels of antibodies against MMR antigens in a cohort of children with ASD compared to control children. Patients and Methods: In a cohort of children with ASD and same-age healthy controls, we measured levels and seropositivity of antibodies against MMR. Results: A total of 60 children, 31 with ASD and 29 controls were enrolled. The seropositivity rate and levels of all the three antibodies were similar in cases and controls. Conclusion: Children with ASD have a similar level and seropositivity rate of antibodies against the MMR vaccine to same-age controls. As persistent infections are typically associated with high antibody levels, our results support the arguments against a role of MMR vaccination as a causal factor or co-factor in development of ASD.