Rubella seroprevalence among pregnant women in Beijing, China

Abstract

BackgroundRubella infection in pregnant women can result in serious effects, such as miscarriages, stillbirths, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). However, very little is known about the rubella seroprevalence among pregnant women in China.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional and hospital-based study. From June 2016 through March 2017, a total of 324 serum samples from healthy pregnant women were collected in the Shunyi Women and Children’s Hospital of Beijing Children’s Hospital. Rubella-specific IgG antibody was determined by ELISA (Euroimmun, Lübeck, Germany) kits. International assigned cut-off values of ≥10 IU/ml were used to assess the percentage of pregnant women with protective IgG concentrations.ResultsThe total rate of protected individuals was 83.3% (95% CI: 78.9%–87.0%). The protective rates of pregnant women in 17–26 years group, 27–36 years group and 37–46 years group were 84.0% (95% CI: 75.3%–90.1%), 81.9% (95% CI: 74.9%–87.4%) and 84.9% (95% CI: 75.8%–90.9%) respectively. No significant difference in protective rates among the three age groups was found (P = 0.83). There were also no statistically significant correlations between protective rates and gravidity (P = 0.84), parity (P = 0.84), birth place (P = 0.16), residence area (P = 0.58), education (P = 0.40) or occupation (P = 0.65).ConclusionsDespite the generally low vaccination coverage for rubella, most of Chinese pregnant women had potent rubella immunity. However, at least 16.7% of pregnant women were susceptible to rubella, which suggested rubella immunization in Chinese women at or before child-bearing age.

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

“…The prevalence rates of anti-Rubella antibodies in this study correlated with studies reported from Bangladesh, a socioeconomically similar country like India [16]. Only a few studies, which included one from Pakistan (16%) and another from Tanzania (<5%), revealed lower seroprevalence rates than those observed in the present study [17,19].…”

“…A study of the seroprevalence of Rubella-specific IgG antibodies among healthy pregnant women in China revealed that 83.3% of women had protective antibodies [17]. In a recent study from Cameroon, which evaluated the seroprevalence of Rubella-specific IgG antibodies among pregnant women found 94.4% seroprevalence.…”

Seroprevalence of rubella virus among pregnant women: A 4‐year registered‐based study from family medicine and obstetric clinics in Saudi Arabia

“…1,12 In this study, the seroprevalence of rubella immunity among Burkina Faso (77%). 1,4,13 However, the seroprevalence of rubella immunity in the current study was higher than findings from other countries like southern India (65%), Niger (53%), and lower than findings from Nigeria (97.9%), Mexico (97.1%), Turkey (96.1%), Spain (94.1%), Western Province in KSA (91.6%), Cameroon (88.6%) and Kuwait (88.4%). 1,3,14,15 The differences in seroprevalence between different studies could be attributed to the variation in the epidemiology of the infection, the differences in the sample size and the methodology of the studies, the utilised laboratory tests, discrepancies in the used cut-off points used to confirm the immunity, and the involvement of rubella immunisation in their national vaccination programs.…”

“…In this study, the seroprevalence of rubella immunity among pregnant was 76.41%. A similar report has been released from other countries like Italy (85.8%), China (83.3%), Ethiopia (79.5%) and Burkina Faso (77%) 1,4,13 . However, the seroprevalence of rubella immunity in the current study was higher than findings from other countries like southern India (65%), Niger (53%), and lower than findings from Nigeria (97.9%), Mexico (97.1%), Turkey (96.1%), Spain (94.1%), Western Province in KSA (91.6%), Cameroon (88.6%) and Kuwait (88.4%) 1,3,14,15 .…”

The seroprevalence of Rubella in pregnant women in Turkey: a meta-analysis research of 90988 Rubella IgM, 84398 Rubella IgG, and 522 avidity results

“…The reason for this low rate is that Rubella vaccine is currently not included in the national immunization program (19) . In China, although this rate varies according to age in pregnant women, this rate is approximately 84.0% (20) . The high level of IgG antibody seropositivity in our country reveals that we have a successful vaccination policy compared with other developing countries.…”