بررسي سرواپيدميولوژي سرخجه در دختران در شرف ازدواج شهرستان سبزوار با استفاده از روش ELISA

Seroepidemiology of anti-rubella virus in pre-marriage girls of Sabzevar, Iran by ELISA method

Background and Purpose: Rubella is a member of togaviridate viruses, with minor morbidity in children. Rubella infection during pregnancy causes various malformations including congenital cataract. Immunity against it is, therefore, important in girls before marriage and it is recommended in girls without anti-rubella antibody in some countries. This study is intended to determine the anti-rubella immunity in pre-marriage girls in Sabzevar, Iran. Methods and Materials: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 186 pre-marriage girls in Sabzevar, Iran to determine serological anti-rubella (IgG and IgM) using ELISA. NOVUM DIAGNOSTICA Kit was used for tests and SPSS for data analysis. Results: 172 girls (92.5%) were positive and 14 girls (7.5%) negative, i.e. high risk group.152 girls (81.7%) already infected with rubella were now positive and 11 girls (5.9%) negative. Conclusion: Subjectsʹ age and IgG antibody did not show any significant relationships while a significant relationship was found between exposure to rubella and IgG (p<0.0019); in other words, 81.7% of the IgG positive cases were already exposed to rubella and 5.9% of the cases with history of rubella were IgG negative. Therefore, the high risk group is recommended to be vaccinated prior to pregnancy to prevent the risk of congenital rubella syndrome.