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

ABSTRACT

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