Estimation of Rubella virus antibodies among aborted women in Ibb City-Yemen

Abstract

German measles is a public health disease caused by rubella virus resulting in adverse consequences among pregnant women as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) including abortions. Abortion is one of the most common health problems in the world. So, this study purposed to estimate prevalence of rubella virus antibodies among aborted women in Ibb city, Yemen. A cross-sectional investigation was accomplished from January 2022 to June 2022. 150 serum samples were collected from aborted women attending the obstetrics and gynecology department of various hospitals to analyze rubella virus IgG and IgM antibodies by Electro-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA). Demographical and clinical features were collected using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using GraphPad software and P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. With regards to the prevalence of rubella virus antibodies among aborted women, 149 cases (99.3%) of aborted women were rubella IgG antibodies positive. Rubella virus IgM antibodies were negative (100%) in all aborted women. The prevalence of rubella virus IgG antibodies in the age 26-30 was less than in other age groups. Moreover, the seroprevalence of rubella virus IgG was higher in rural aborted women (100%) compared to urban ones. Demographical and clinical features among aborted women were not statistically significant concerning rubella IgG positive results. In conclusion, the low rate of rubella IgM and a high proportion of rubella IgG for the most aborted women in this study suggest that rubella infection might indicate a previous infection.