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Outcome of asymptomatic infection with rubella virus during pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2010

J. E. Cradock-Watson ,
Margaret K. S. Ridehalgh ,
M. J. Anderson  and
J. R. Pattison
J. E. Cradock-Watson
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Withington Hospital, Manchester M20 8LR
Margaret K. S. Ridehalgh
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Withington Hospital, Manchester M20 8LR
M. J. Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, King's College Hospital Medical School, London SE5 8RX
J. R. Pattison
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, King's College Hospital Medical School, London SE5 8RX
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Summary

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We have tried to detect prenatal infection in 34 infants whose mothers were re-infected with rubella virus during pregnancy and in six infants whose mothers had primary subclinical rubella during pregnancy. Two methods of assessment were used: first, serum obtained soon after birth was tested for IgM antibody; secondly, serum obtained after the age of 8 months was tested for specific IgG.

The 34 women with re-infections had increases in IgG antibody titre but no IgM response. No evidence of prenatal infection was found in 33 of their 34 infants. One infant was found to have IgG antibody at the age of 11 months. This infant was IgM-negative at birth and had a rubelliform rash at the age of 5½ months; it therefore probably contracted post- rather than pre-natal infection. Fetal infection from maternal re-infection during pregnancy is probably rare.

The six women with primary subclinical rubella produced both IgG and IgM classes of antibody. Three of their six infants showed serological evidence of intrauterine infection. One, infected when its mother was 8 weeks pregnant, had clinical evidence of congenital rubella. Primary subclinical rubella during pregnancy therefore carries a significant risk of fetal infection.

Because of the difference in outcome, great care should be taken to distinguish between primary infection and re-infection when investigating symptomless increases in antibody titre after contact with rubella during pregnancy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 87 , Issue 2 , October 1981 , pp. 147 - 154
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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