Rubella Seropositivity in Pregnant Women After Vaccination Campaign in Brazil's Federal District

Abstract

Rubella is an acute viral disease that usually does not generate sequels; however, in pregnant women the infection can cause serious abnormalities to fetuses, which are collectively called congenital rubella syndrome. In Brazil, population immunization was started in 1992, but few epidemiological studies have been conducted to assess vaccination coverage and seroconversion since then. The aim of this work is to evaluate the seropositivity of pregnant women to rubella virus after vaccination campaign was carried out in 2008. Serological tests for rubella diagnosis were performed in 87 pregnant women who attended the University of Brasilia Hospital, Federal District, Brazil. Antirubella IgG antibodies were detected in 83 out of 87 pregnant women (95.4%), with an age-independent seroprevalence. Only one woman was positive in IgM serological tests. Our data suggest high levels of vaccination coverage and antirubella immunization in the Brazil Federal District population.

Serosurvey of anti‐rubella and anti‐measles IgG antibodies in young females in Jahrom, southern west Iran in 2012: A review of literature of the serological profile in Iran

“…In several studies conducted in Korea between 2010 and 2017, rubella seronegativity among women aged 15–49 years was between 7.8% and 9.7% 33 . The percentage of pregnant women who were immune to rubella in 2017 was 87.8% in India and 95.4% in Brazil 34,35 . Protective levels of anti‐rubella IgG were documented in pregnant women, and Rubella seroprevalence among women of childbearing age was reported as 87% in Kyrgyzstan (2001), 36 86.1% in Turkey (2015), 37 83.9% before (2000–2001), and 93.5 after (2002–2003) the campaign in Brazil, 22 58.4% in China (2010–2012), 38 88.2% in Egypt (2010), 39 and 84.6% in Hongkong (1997) 40 .…”

“… 33 The percentage of pregnant women who were immune to rubella in 2017 was 87.8% in India and 95.4% in Brazil. 34 , 35 Protective levels of anti‐rubella IgG were documented in pregnant women, and Rubella seroprevalence among women of childbearing age was reported as 87% in Kyrgyzstan (2001), 36 86.1% in Turkey (2015), 37 83.9% before (2000–2001), and 93.5 after (2002–2003) the campaign in Brazil, 22 58.4% in China (2010–2012), 38 88.2% in Egypt (2010), 39 and 84.6% in Hongkong (1997). 40 The immunity level against measles in a vast survey including 18 European countries between 1996 and 2004 significantly varied; Thus, findings revealed seven countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden) met extensively close to the WHO elimination targets (<15% in those aged 2–4 years, <10% in those aged 5–9 years and <5% in those aged 10–19, 20–39, and 40+ years.).…”