Comparison of various serological methods and diagnostic kits for the detection of acute, recent, and previous rubella infection, vaccination, and congenital infections

Abstract

The antibody development after natural rubella infection and rubella vaccination has been followed in 802 sera from 493 patients and 71 sera from 22 vaccinees. Also examined were 67 sera from 28 infants with rubella embryopathy and sera from 50 children with presumed prenatal infection. In addition, 777 sera from 641 patients tested for routine rubella diagnosis were studied. Anamnestic information was available from all these patients. These sera were assayed for IgM antibody detection by sucrose density gradient (SDG), the commercial ELISAs (Enzygnost IgM and Rubazyme M), and the non-commercial anti-my-hemadsorption immunosorbent technique (HIT). For the determination of IgG antibodies the hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI), the commercial ELISAs (Enzygnost IgG, Rubazyme), and a single radial hemolysis test (SRH) were used. The SDG and HIT were less sensitive for IgM antibody detection than the two ELISAs, particularly when IgM concentrations were low. In total 26.5% of the IgM results with the newer tests were discordant with SDG, but only 0.5-1.3% of these results were not explicable when the clinical data was considered. Problems were encountered with all IgM assay systems used. For the detection of rubella antibodies after acute infection and vaccination the ELISA Enzygnost IgG was as sensitive as the HAI whereas the ELISA Rubazyme and SRH detected antibodies with some delay. Corresponding results with all tests were found more than 25 days after acute infection and more than 50 days after vaccination. All methods can be used for detection of antibodies in infants with rubella embryopathy. The results of this study suggest that certain combinations of tests can be used for the reliable detection of rubella infection.

Togaviridae: Rubella Virus

“…Rubella-specific IgM antibody usually appears 1 to 5 days after the onset of rash, sometimes at the same time as IgG antibodies. IgM antibodies usually persist for 6 to 12 weeks (Enders et al, 1985;Enders and Knotek, 1986;Meurman et aI., 1977), but occasionally for longer. The detection of rubella-specific IgA depends on the test used; it may persist for a number of years (Halonen et al, 1979;O'Shea et al, 1985).…”

“…Many laboratories now diagnose rubella by solid phase immunoassays (EIA and RIA). In experienced laboratories, using optimal antigen preparations the RIA and EIA may be one of the most sensitive methods for serologic diagnosis of rubella (Enders et al, 1985;Forghani and Schmidt, 1979;Kalimo et ai., 1976;Vaheri and Salonen, 1980;Vejtorp et al, 1979;Voller and Bidwell, 1975). These methods are so sensitive that testing the serum specimens at several dilutions and expressing the test results in titers is inconvenient.…”

Rubella vaccines: past, present and future

“…Vaccine trials have shown that all licensed rubella vaccines induce an antibody response [16,17]. Haemagglutination inhibition (HA1) antibodies usually develop between 10 and 28 days after vaccination [57][58][59], although a response may occasionally be delayed. HAI antibodies are usually 4-8-fold lower in vaccinees than following natural infection.…”

Vergleich der Bestimmung von Rötelnantikörpern mit Hämagglutinationshemmtest, Hämolysis-in-Gel-Test und einem Enzyme-linked Immunoassay mit rubella quantitation panel

“…Die Serumprodem Hämagglutinationshemmtest ist daß mit dem ersteben werden, beginnend bei 1:8, in Zweierstufen in Dexren ein quantitativer Antikörpernachweis nicht möglich trose-Gelatine-Veronal-Puffer austitriert. Danach erfolgt ist (2,3 …”