Seroprevalence of Rubella Immunity (IgG Antibody) among Female Health Care Workers in a Hospital in Southern India
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research - Year 2019, Vol 13, Issue 7
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: Rubella is a mild exanthematous illness caused by Rubella virus which belongs to the family Togaviridae. Rubella is considered of public health importance for the teratogenic potential of the virus, this lead to disastrous consequences in pregnant women if contracted during first trimester. An effective and safe vaccine against rubella is available, yet according to estimation, over 100,000 infants are born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) annually worldwide. Rubella is endemic in India and CRS contributes in morbidity and mortality among the live birth. As rubella vaccine has been incorporated in their immunisation schedule, the incidence of rubella has been reduced drastically. But still seronegative population has been noted in various studies in India. Aim: To evaluate the immune status (Rubella specific IgG antibody) of Rubella among Health Care Workers (HCW) of our hospital. Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among female health care students and workers (n=145) in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South Chennai from January to February 2017. Blood samples were collected after getting informed consent and serum was separated. A rubella specific IgG antibody was detected by ELISA using the commercially available kit as per the manufacturer’s instruction. Samples showing IgG antibody titre >10 IU/mL were taken as positive and ≤10 IU/mL as negative. The results were analysed statistically using Epi Info version 7.2. Results: A total n=145 samples were analysed and among which 124 (85.5%) workers had adequate titre and 21 (14.48%) were negative for rubella IgG antibody. The mean age of the participants was 19.65. The participants were MBBS students (n=75), BDS students (n=48), Laboratory technicians (n=12), Staff nurses (n=9) and Doctor (n=1). None of them was remembering their vaccination status. Conclusion: The study concludes that immunisation of HCWs against rubella is an important target regardless of their vaccination status. There is a more chance of exposure to infection and also in transmission of infection in the hospital environment. Hence, maintenance of immunity is an essential part of prevention and infection control scheme.
Authors and Affiliations
S Kandasamy, D Jeyakumari, E Premalatha, Jamunrani Srirangaramasamy, M Balamurugan
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP606943
- DOI 10.7860/JCDR/2019/40961.12996
- Views 101
- Downloads 0
The Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Biochemical Parameters in Healthy Thai Subjects
Introduction: Although, the effect of Ramadan fasting on the risks for Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has been reported in several studies, the results were inconsistent. In addition, the effect of Ramadan fasting on bioch...
Collodion Baby: A Rare Clinical Entity
Letter to Editor
Clinical and Immunological Outcomes after Initiation of Second Line Antiretroviral Therapy in People Living with HIV
ABSTRACT Introduction: Resistance to first-line Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has been a major concern in People Living with HIV (PLHIV), which necessitates a switch to second-line therapy. Data regarding the outcomes of...
Fairness of Health Financing before and after Introduction of Iranian Health Sector Evolution Plan: A Case Study
ABSTRACT Introduction: Since out-of-pocket payments of household are a serious obstacle to the equitable utilization of health services, paying attention to the direct payment of households and, consequently, incidence o...
Characterisation of Benign Ovarian Lesions among Sudanese Women Undergoing Pelvic Ultrasound Scans: The Impact of Parity and Age
ABSTRACT Introduction: Ovarian cysts are the most common benign lesions detected by routine ultrasound (US) examination. Characterisation and classification by ultrasound play a central role in diagnosis and management a...