Rubella Antibody of Female Workers in a University Hospital / 병원감염관리

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The risk of rubella infection is higher in hospital workers than in others because of high possibility of exposure to rubella viruses. Moreover, rubella infection during pregnancy can cause serious problems, special preventive measures should be taken for female employees in the hospital. METHODS: This study was performed from October to December, 1995 and the subjects were 307 female employees in a university hospital, who were aged 20 to 40 and had many chances cf exposure to rubella patient during working. Rubella virus antibody was detected by the method of ELISA. For the antibody-negative employees, we gave active immunization and retested the antibody titer after six weeks. RESULTS: Among 307 subjects, 289 cases (94.1%) were positive for rubella IgG antibody. There was no significant difference in positive rates of rubella antibody by type of occupation, age, medical department, and duration employed. The seroconversion rate was 93.8% (15/16). CONCLUSIONS: According to these findings, we recommend that the employees in the hospital, especially women aged 20 to 40 should be checked for Rubella Ab (IgG) and be vaccinated when they don't have it.