Seroprevalence of Rubella in Northeastern Turkey

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to search rubella prevalence and compare the results with national and international data. Materials and methods The presence of anti-rubella immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were studied in the sera obtained from cases with fever in last week and applied to the Microbiology Laboratory in the period between February 2010 and December 2010. No clinical sign or symptom regarding rubella infection has been evaluated for cases to obtain blood samples. IgM and IgG antibodies were tested with ELISA (Vitros ECI Q (J&J) Company Ortho Clinical Diagnostic Macro) method. The data obtained were assessed with SPSS statistical package using chi-square trend analysis method. Results Anti-rubella IgM positivity was found 6/68 (8.8%) of males and 3/138 (2.2%) of females who are under 18 years-old (p = 0.028). Meanwhile 47/65 (72.3%) of males and 99/122 (81.8%) of females under 18 years-old were presented with anti-rubella IgG positivity (p = 0.164). In all, 2/8 (25 %) males and 28/1,181 (2.4 %) females older than 18 years-old were anti-rubella IgM positive (p = 0.013). Anti-rubella IgG antibodies were found positive in 862/1,181 (73 %) of females and all males (8/8) older than 18-years-old (p = 0.086). Conclusions In spite of the active immunization programme commenced after 2006, rubella infection is still a risk in Turkey without discriminating the gender.