Seroprevalence of Rubella among Female Healthcare Students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

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Original Article

Author Details : Vinod Raveendran, Nivedita Ganesan, Manju M

Volume : 4, Issue : 4, Year : 2017

Article Page : 459-463

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Abstract

Introduction: Rubella is a disease caused by Rubella virus which can affect anyone of any age and is generally a mild disease, rare in infants or those over the age of 40. Rubella is notorious for causing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). It occurs in newborns born to a woman who gets rubella infection in pregnancy. Women gain immunity against Rubella following either a natural Rubella infection or a Rubella vaccination. Some girls or women reach the child bearing age group without any immunity against Rubella. This makes them vulnerable to giving birth to children with CRS. The available survey data reveals 6 to 47% seronegativity in this age group. Hence the age group of 16- 20 years females was targeted for the study.
Aims & Objectives: To find out the immunity status (IgG) against Rubella in the health care students (medical and paramedical) of our teaching hospital.
Materials and Method: Serum samples from 180 healthcare students in a tertiary care teaching hospital were tested for Rubella specific IgG antibodies by ELISA.
Result: Out of the 180 subjects tested, 21(12%) were susceptible to Rubella infection. The remaining had protective levels of antibodies against Rubella.
Conclusion: Seronegativity among child bearing age group was and is being documented regularly. Routine immunization with Rubella vaccine is the only end point to CRS. Inclusion and adherence of the same in the National immunization schedule will help eradicate this disease. Constant serosurveillance is required to assess the immunity status among the child bearing age group.

Keywords: Rubella, Congenital Rubella Syndrome, Healthcare students, ELISA

How to cite : Raveendran V, Ganesan N, Manju M, Seroprevalence of Rubella among Female Healthcare Students in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Indian J Microbiol Res 2017;4(4):459-463

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