Rubella-specific IgG antibodies in non-pregnant women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Chisom Chimbundum Adim, Hope Chioma Innocent-Adiele, Ngozi Nma Odu and Iheanyi Omezuruike Okonko *

Department of Microbiology, Virus Research Unit, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Scientific Research Updates, 2022, 04(02), 001–006.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijsru.2022.4.2.0130
Publication history: 
Received on 01 August 2022; revised on 26 September 2022; accepted on 28 September 2022
 
Abstract: 
Background: Rubella is a contagious virus-borne disease. The study aimed to test a cohort of non-pregnant women in Rivers State for rubella virus IgG antibodies and identify their susceptibility to the viral infection.
Methods: The study included 92 consenting non-pregnant women attending Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Rivers State. The sera were evaluated for detectable anti-rubella IgG antibodies using ELISA kits according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Results: Eighty-five (92.4 per cent) of the 92 samples tested positive for rubella Immunoglobulin G antibodies, while 7 (7.6 per cent) tested negative. Rubella IgG seroprevalence was unrelated to age, education, or occupation.
Conclusion: Given the high level of rubella IgG among non-pregnant women tested in Rivers State, it is likely that the virus is prevalent in the research area. As a result, a robust surveillance system and the organization of screening for anti-rubella IgG antibodies in pregnant women would be critical for future protection against the illness.
 
Keywords: 
Antibodies; IgG; Rubella Virus; Non-pregnant women; Nigeria
 
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