Prevalence of rubella-specific IgG antibodies in unimmunized young female population

Abstract

Context:Rubella is a mild self-limiting disease all over the world; nevertheless, it is of significant public health importance due to its teratogenic effect of congenital rubella syndrome. Rubella vaccine is currently not included in the national immunization program in India. Rubella-specific IgG in the unvaccinated population is a marker of previous rubella infection. Rubella IgG estimation in children will provide data for initiation and necessary modification to the immunization strategy.Aims:In this background, this study was conducted with an aim to know the age-specific susceptibility of acquiring rubella infections and future risk of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) among girls.Settings and Design:This was a community-based, observational study.Participants and Methods:The study was conducted at a randomly selected rural area Mavoor Panchayath of Kozhikode District, Kerala, among adolescent girls. The estimation of rubella-specific IgG antibody was done by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. IgG titer value of >15 IU was taken positive, 8–15 IU as equivocal, and <8 IU as negative.Statistical Analysis Used:Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical program for Social science version 16 for Windows. Chi-square test was applied to find out significant difference and Fisher's exact test wherever applicable.Results:The data and blood sample collection was done from 250 girls. The mean IgG titer was 151.93 ± 128.78 IU, and as per the criteria, 68.3% were positive, 28.5% were negative, and 3.2% were equivocal. At this age, majority (68.3%) of the girls get protection by natural infection without any vaccine. Some girls (32%) may remain susceptible to infection during adulthood and pregnancy.Conclusions:Natural rubella infection was widely prevalent among child population and at this age. An immunization policy recommending rubella-containing vaccine is highly desirable to prevent rubella and CRS.

Seroprevalence of Rubella Virus-specific Antibodies in Women and the Diagnostic Efficacy of Enzyme-linked Immunoassay and Rapid Immunochromatographic Tests

“…The prevalence of Rubella-specific IgG antibodies was found to be 68.3% among non-vaccinated girls in the age group of 13-15 years as noted by a study from Kerala, South India. The same study had observed that the seropositive girls had unprotective Rubella-specific IgG antibody titers [7]. This makes them potential carriers of infection to the fetuses during pregnancy and the development of congenital Rubella syndrome (CRS).…”

A Study of Torch Screening in Women with Bad Obstetric History

“…The ramifications of Rubella infections can be kept under check when the "herd immunity threshold" is maintained above 83% among adults in the country without any regional imbalances. The first dose of MMR vaccine should be started as early as 15-18 months of the age and second dose at 6-12 years in order to eradicate the CRS in India (Jayakrishnan Thayyil et al, 2016).…”

Rubella immunity in a cohort of pregnant women – serological survey

“…Mirambo M et al, in a systematic review, report that the seroprevalence of IgG rubella antibodies in Africa is high but with a substantial number of women of childbearing age being susceptible to rubella infection. Some seroepidemiological surveys from countries in Asia have reported that a substantial number of women reach childbearing age without acquiring natural immunity to rubella, making them more susceptible to infection [17][18] . In Europe, routine immunization has changed the epidemiology of rubella -increased seroprevalence of IgG antibodies and decreased morbidity.…”