Immunity of children and adult females to rubella virus infection in Tehran

A serological survey was carried out to determine rubella immunity among 272 children and 1375 women in the reproductive age group in Tehran during 1993-95. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, based on measurement of anti-rubella virus IgG, we found an immunity of 92.7% in newborns, 57.2% in children and 94.9% in women. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of rubella IgG antibody with age [p<0.001]. No significant sex difference was seen. The socio-economic status of the study population from two maternity clinics in the North [with higher socio-economic status] and South of Tehran was a factor in the distribution of anti-rubella IgG, showing significant difference in immunity [p<0.005]. Since about 95% of the young adult female population were immune to rubella virus infection, it follows that the incidence of congenital rubella syndrome should be low in this city

survey of cytomegalovirus infection in children and childbearing women in Iran

The incidence of cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection was studied among 426 children [< 14 years] and 950 women in childbearing age [14 - 45 years] during 1992-94 in Tehran. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], based on measurement of anti-CMV IgG, we found an incidence of 89.7% in children and 98.9% in women, respectively. There was a significant increase in incidence with age [P< 0.005] and no significant sex difference. The socio-economic status of the population under study from the two maternity clinics in north and south of Tehran showed no significant difference in CMV infection. Since 98.5% of young women entering childbearing years were sero-positive for CMV, it is concluded that there is a low risk of fetal infection