Seroepidemiology of Rubella in Women Under 25 Years Old Attending Medical Centers in Ahvaz, Iran in 2013

Abstract

Background:Rubella is a mild viral infection affecting women of reproductive age, and the fetus in early pregnancy, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth and Congenital Rubella Syndrome.Objectives:The present study aimed to assess serum level of anti-rubella antibodies in women younger than 25 years attending medical centers in Ahvaz city.Patients and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 760 women younger than 25 years attending medical centers in Ahvaz. A sample of 3 mL of venous blood was taken from each woman and ELISA method was used to assess anti-rubella IgG levels. Antibody level more than 11 IU/mL was considered safe. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using Chi-square, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation tests.Results:Of total samples, 683 women (88.9%) had immunity against rubella, 80 (10.4%) no immunity and 5 (0.7%) intermediate levels of antibody. Immunity to rubella increased significantly with aging (P = 0.001) and a significant association was found between age and antibody titer (P = 0.001, r = 0.261).Conclusions:More than 95% of 15 to 25 year-old women (main reproductive age in Iran) are within acceptable immunity range. Level of immunity to rubella in women of reproductive age in this region appears satisfactory.

Rubella Immunity Gap: A Cross-sectional study on Spatial Distribution, Correlates and Predictors among Women of Reproductive Age, Southwest Nigeria

“…A hospital-based study in Iran to quantitatively assayed the anti-rubella IgG and found that 88.9% had immunity against rubella, while a tenth of the respondents had no immunity. 25 The level of rubella IgG in a country with rubella vaccination policy like Iran, is one way to measure the degree of protection or immunity the people have against rubella; and it is a way to measure the success or failure of the vaccination program as earlier stated.…”

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

“…If the infection happens in early pregnancy, the fetus will be at risk of complications in the form of spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS is a congenital malformation of several organs in the fetus with many manifestations such as cataracts, deafness, cardiac defects, hepatosplenomegaly, low birth weight and skin rash at birth 2‐4 . The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that annually >100 000 infants are born with CRS worldwide 2,5 .…”

“…CRS is a congenital malformation of several organs in the fetus with many manifestations such as cataracts, deafness, cardiac defects, hepatosplenomegaly, low birth weight and skin rash at birth. [2][3][4] The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that annually >100 000 infants are born with CRS worldwide. 2,5 There is no available therapy for pregnant females or infants affected with rubella.…”

“…[2][3][4] The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that annually >100 000 infants are born with CRS worldwide. 2,5 There is no available therapy for pregnant females or infants affected with rubella. Moreover, using immunoglobulin after exposure to rubella infection in early pregnancy has no clear beneficial effect.…”

Rubella seroprevalence using residual samples from the South African measles surveillance program: a cross-sectional analytic study

“…In Iran, rubella seroprevalence ranged from about 89% among women below 25 y of age to 85% among children under-five, dropping to 81.4% in 11-15 y olds with the highest figures (98.8%) among 21-25 y olds. 18 Another Iranian study among pregnant women found that 96% of participants were immune to rubella. 14 In Germany, 87.6% of children below 17 yof age were immune to rubella 12 with the age group of 3 to 6 y olds having the highest proportion of immune individuals.…”