Prevalence of rubella-IgG antibody in women of childbearing age in Lagos, Nigeria

The prevalence of Rubella-IgG antibody was assessed in 152 Nigerian women consisting of 62 pregnant women. 82 non-pregnant women of childbearing age and 7 women who had suffered miscarriage. Rubella-IgG antibody was detected in sera of the female subjects by Immunocomb II Rubella IgG test kit (Orgenics, Israel) which is an indirect solid face Immunoassay (EIA). Rubella-IgG antibody was detected in 76% of pregnant women, 77% of non-pregnant women of childbearing age and 86% of women who had miscarriage. Similarly, the Rubella-IgG antibody titres of between 15 iu/ml and 120 iu/ml was encountered among the female subjects. Thus in general 77% of all the female subjects were positive for Rubella-IgG antibody while 23% had no detectable Rubella IgG antibody. There is need to protect this set of people considering the potential dangers of congenital anomalies associated with Rubella infection during pregnancy. The implications of the presence or absence of Rubella IgG antibody and titres are discussed.