66 Immunologic Consequences of Congenital Rubella

Abstract

The immunologic consequences of maternal rubella have been correlated with the clinical and virologic data accumulated on 350 children followed since the 1964 epidemic. Mothers and their infants with rubella-associated defects have had persistence of rubella serum neutralizing and hemagglutination-inhibition antibodies. Antibody titers among these children have remained at levels ≥ to those in their mothers. In contrast, most children who are clinically normal, despite maternal rubella, have not produced rubella antibody. This relationship of fetal infection to congenital defects and persistent antibody production is supported by a study of 3 sets of twins; 5 of the children have anomalies and antibody, 1 child is normal and has no antibody. Alterations in serum immunoglobulin levels most commonly elevations of IgM and in one instance production of a small molecular weight (approximately 7S) IgM, and a decreased incidence of positive skin reactions to oidiomycin indicate that congenital rubella produces a spectrum of immunologic abnormalities similar to that which it produces in other organs. (SPR)