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Rubella IgG Antibodies
Principle
Rubella (German or “3-day” measles) is a mild, contagious rash illness primarily affecting children and young adults. Acute rubella infection is usually self-limited and benign, characterized by low-grade fever, mild upper respiratory symptoms, erythematous maculopapular rash, and suboccipital lymphadenopathy. However, rubella infection early in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital defects.
This test aids in assessing the patient’s immune response to rubella and determining immune status, especially in women of childbearing age. The presence of rubella IgM antibody or a significant rise in IgG between acute and convalescent specimens indicates acute infection. Acute-phase serum should be collected as soon as possible after rash onset; convalescent-phase serum should be collected ≥10 days after the acute specimen.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Collection
Storage and Transport
Store/transport at 15–30°C for ≤8 hours; 2–8°C for ≤48 hours; freeze at ≤ –20°C if delayed. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Unacceptable Specimens
Hemolyzed or unseparated specimens.
Method
Enhanced Chemiluminescence
Normal Range
Clinical Interpretation
- Negative for Rubella IgG: < 10 IU/mL
- Equivocal for Rubella IgG: 10.0 to <15 IU/mL
- Positive for Rubella IgG: >= 15.0 IU/ml
Turnaround Time
References
- Herman KL. Rubella Virus. In: Lennette EH, Balows A, Hausler WJ Jr, Shadomy HJ (eds). Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Society of Microbiology; 1985:779–784.
- Turgeon ML. Rubella Infection. In: Immunology and Serology in Laboratory Medicine. 2nd ed. Mosby; 1996:275–286.
- Diseases and Immunizations. Rubella Prevention: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MedAccess Corp. 1995;39.