immune status of adult females in Karachi to rubella virus infection

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of anti-rubella antibody in female of child bearing age in Karachi, to make an empirical evaluation of the need for immunization in order to prevent rubella infections during pregnancy and its sequelae. Design: From 1988 to 1994 7,788 woman attending various maternity homes for antenatal checkup were included in this study. Setting: Department of Microbiology Citi Lab, Civil Lab and Dr. Ehsanullah's Laboratories, Karachi. Seven thousand seven hundred eighty eight blood samples from pregnant females attending various maternity homes for antenatal checkup. Main outcome measures: Rubella IgG anti-bodies by Enzyme Linked Immuno sorbent Assay. All the 7,788 sera were screened by the Enzyme Immuno-Assay. Up to 90% were found to be seropositive for Rubella antibody of the IgG class. Conclusions: Pregnant women susceptible to rubella infection in the present study varied from 10-25% in differerent years. Clinical or subclinical rubella infection and immunization have contributed to 75-90% seroprevalence of rubella antibody. Therefore, risk of rubella infection during pregnancy is low and mass immunization will not be cost effective