Prevalence of rubella IgG antibodies among Syrian females of childbearing age.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the current sero-epidemiology of rubella IgG among Syrian females of childbearing age that missed rubella vaccination.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study examined healthy female students of the Pharmacy College, Kalamoon University, Deratiah, Syria. Ninety sera were collected between March and May 2008, and were subject to rubella specific IgG screening and titration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based technique provided by Diamed Eurogen in the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy.

RESULTS

The quantitative analysis for rubella IgG showed a noticeable variability in the values of antibodies that ranged between 0-363 IU/ml. A total of 77 participants were positive for rubella IgG giving a prevalence of 85.6%, and leaving a relatively high proportion of susceptibility (14.4%) among the tested group.

CONCLUSION

Although most women tested were seropositive for rubella IgG, suggesting a natural virus circulation within the community, screening for protective immunity followed by vaccination to those who missed the regular vaccine program should be enforced to prevent possible rubella congenital syndrome. In addition, adding a second shot of rubella vaccine to those who were subject to the national program of vaccination is a must since the concentration of antibodies may drop below the recommended levels necessary for protection.