Seroprevalence of rubella antibodies among adolescent girls of Mysore district, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Rubella disease, or German measles, is a viral infection caused by the rubella virus. Human is the only known host. Therefore, the rubella virus is a candidate for global eradication because humans are the only known host. In addition, the vaccine against rubella is safe and is highly effective (≥95%) following a single dose. The current study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of rubella in healthy adolescent school girls. The adolescent girls were screened for preventing rubella during pregnancy. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and March 2018 for 1.8 years among the Healthy adolescent girls aged 13-16yrs Mysore District. Estimation of serum IgG levels was done by Enzyme immunoassay. There are reports of seronegativity. Therefore, we counselled them, and they were motivated to undergo active immunization. In addition, we elicited a history of MMR or rubella vaccine. A total of 160 people were studied. Among them152 (95%) participants had a positive outcome for the IgG antibodies. However, only 8(5%) of the participants were tested seronegative for IgG antibodies.The universal immunization programme encourages the public to take vaccines, but only the serosurveillance studies can help to know the vaccine immunization coverage. This study reflected the epidemiology of rubella seropositivity in the Mysore district between October 2016 and March 2018.