Laboratory monitoring of rubella.

A study was undertaken to determine the level of immunity to rubella in the population on the basis of findings in serum specimens sent to the laboratory of the National Institute for Virology. A total of 4791 sera taken between August 1982 and October 1983 were examined for rubella-specific IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A disquietingly high proportion (18,4%) of women of child-bearing age were not immune; 59 cases of primary infection occurred in pregnant women, as documented by the presence of rubella-specific IgM antibodies on ELISA. The need to ensure the protection of susceptible women of child-bearing age by prepubertal immunization and screening for immunity is emphasized.