Background: Adult measles is increasingly associated with severe clinical manifestations, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. Oxidative stress and micronutrient depletion may contribute to disease severity; however, integrated data evaluating oxidative protein damage, glutathione system activity, and zinc/selenium status in adult measles remain limited. This study assessed oxidative stress markers, glutathione-dependent enzymes, and trace element levels according to vaccination status. Methods: Eighty adults with laboratory-confirmed measles were stratified into vaccinated (n=40) and unvaccinated (n=40) groups. Oxidative protein modification was quantified spectrophotometrically at 356, 370, 430, and 530 nm. GPx and GR activities were measured using standard assays. Serum zinc and selenium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses included distribution testing, group comparisons with Holm correction, and standardized effect size estimation. Results: Unvaccinated patients demonstrated higher protein carbonyl levels at 356 nm (1.474 ± 0.148 vs 1.266 ± 0.041; p=0.005) and 370 nm (p< 0.01), along with lower GR activity (0.048 ± 0.007 vs 0.061 ± 0.003; p=0.035). Effect size analysis showed a large between-group difference for GR activity (Hedges g≈0.89) and moderate effects for oxidative indices. Zinc levels were reduced by 24% in unvaccinated and 13% in vaccinated patients (78.7 ± 0.72 vs 89.5 ± 0.78 μg/dL; p< 0.001). Selenium levels were decreased by 55% and 49%, respectively (61.3 ± 0.49 vs 69.8 ± 0.56 μg/L; p< 0.001). Conclusion: Adult measles was associated with oxidative protein modification, impaired glutathione system activity, and reduced zinc and selenium levels, particularly in unvaccinated patients. These findings are associative and require confirmation in prospective longitudinal studies. Plain Language Summary: Measles remains a clinically significant viral infection in adults and can lead to severe complications, particularly in individuals who have not been vaccinated. In addition to its well-known symptoms, measles can disrupt the body’s antioxidant defenses and alter the balance of essential trace elements in the blood. In this study, we compared vaccinated and unvaccinated adults hospitalized with measles. We examined laboratory markers of oxidative stress, including protein damage caused by excessive oxidative reactions, the activity of key antioxidant enzymes, and blood levels of zinc and selenium—two trace elements important for immune function. We found that unvaccinated patients showed higher levels of oxidative stress and lower concentrations of zinc, selenium, and glutathione reductase activity than vaccinated patients. These biochemical changes were associated with a more severe course of the disease. Vaccinated individuals demonstrated a milder biochemical response, suggesting partial protection not only against infection but also against harmful oxidative processes. These findings may contribute to understanding biochemical mechanisms linked to disease severity and suggest that certain laboratory markers could assist in early clinical assessment. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations and clarify their potential clinical implications. Keywords: measles, adults, vaccination status, oxidative stress, micronutrient imbalance, zinc, selenium, glutathione system
Matviiuk et al. (Wed,) studied this question.