Incidence of rubella antibodies among pregnant women in third trimester attending antenatal clinic at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH)

Abstract

Background: Rubella is caused by a positive sense RNA virus of the family Rubiviridae. This is the only non-arthropod borne virus in the family and the etiologic agent of rubella
affecting people of all ages and sex. The virus has been identified as a human teratogen capable of causing a spectrum of birth defects often collectively referred to as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) or death of a developing fetus, especially if the viral infection is acquired in the early months.
Aim: This study was aimed at determining the incidence of rubella IgG/IgM antibodies among pregnant women in their third trimester attending antenatal clinic of University of
Maiduguri, Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Methodology: Ninety (90) venous blood samples were collected from pregnant women at their third trimester, the samples were separated and the sera were screened for rubella IgG and IgM using RUB anti-RV (IgG) and (IgM) kit based on indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.
Results: Eighty nine (98.9%) and five (5.6%) had rubella virus specific IgG antibody (IgG sero positive) and rubella virus specific IgM antibody (IgM sero positive) respectively. Women within the age bracket of 21-25 and 26-30 had the highest incidence 2.22% of rubella specific IgM, then followed by the age groups 15-20 with 1.11%. While zero percent (0%) incidence was reported among the age groups 31-35 and 36-40. Women within the age bracket (15-20) had the least (10%) incidence of rubella specific IgG antibody, and then followed by the age group (36-40) with 12.2%, age group (31-35) with 23.3%, age group (21-25) with 24.4% and lastly the age group (26-30) with 28.9%.
Conclusion: This study revealed that there are still a percentage of women 1(1.1%) at the childbearing age that had no evidence of rubella immunity (IgG seronegative) and are at risk of being infected with the virus especially during the first trimester of pregnancy which can result to congenital defects with fatal consequences. As such, there is need for more sero-surveys on rubella in the country to support the advocacy for the inclusion of rubella vaccination in the National Programme on Immunization (NPI).