Seroprevalence Survey of Rubella Antibodies among Pregnant Women in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Rubella is a vaccine- preventable viral infection. Its etiologic agent, rubella virus was identified as a human teratogen capable of causing spectrum of birth defects described as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) if the pregnant mother is infected within the first trimester of pregnancy. A total of 90 pregnant women attending a secondary health care facility in Maiduguri were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). Of these, 37.8% (34/90) and 83.3% (75/90) were seropositive for anti-rubella IgM (x 2 Cal 5.1; p=0.05) and IgG respectively. Chi-square analysis (x 2 Cal 38.38, p=0.05// x 2 tab 31.41, p=0.05) revealed an association between miscarriage and IgG antibody level in twenty-one subjects. Pregnant women within 20-24years had the highest prevalence of 40% (36/90)( x 2 Cal 4.22, p=0.05) : 44.4% (16/36) of them were seropositive for IgM (x 2 Cal 4.31, p=0.05). A marked surge in IgG antibody level, which tantamount acute infection, was observed in 15.6% (14/90)( x 2 Cal 19.85, p=0.05) of the pregnant women. Pregnant women in the first trimester seropositive for anti-rubella IgM were 36.4% (4/11), inferring that the fetuses of these women are susceptible to sequelae of rubella. This result highlights the consequence of rubella infection and confirms continuous circulation of rubella virus in the study area. There is need for vaccination of vulnerable population in order to ensure the control /elimination of rubella virus in Nigeria. Key words: Rubella virus, teratogen, antibodies, Maiduguri La rubeole est une infection virale evitable par la vaccination. Son agent etiologique, virus de la rubeole a ete identifie comme un teratogene humain capable de provoquer le spectre de malformation congenitale decrite comme le syndrome de rubeole congenitale (SRC) si la femme enceinte est infectee au cours du premier trimestre de la grossesse. Au total, 90 femmes enceintes frequentant un etablissement de soins de sante secondaires a Maiduguri ont ete depistees pour le dosage des anticorps IgM et IgG a l'aide de kit immunoenzymatique (ELISA) (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). Parmi elles, 37,8% (34/90) et 83,3% (75/90) etaient seropositives respectivement pour les anticorps anti-IgM (X 2 Cal. 5,1, p=0,05) et IgG de la rubeole. L’analyse Chi-carre (X 2 Cal. 38,38, p=0,05 /X 2 Tab. 31,41, p=0,05) a revele une relation entre la fausse couche et le niveau d'anticorps IgG dans vingt-et-un sujets. Les femmes enceintes de 20 a 24 ans ont eu la plus forte prevalence de 40% (36/90) (X 2 Cal. 4,22, p=0,05): 44,4% (16/36) d'entre elles etaient seropositives pour les IgM (X 2 Cal. 4,31, p=0,05). Une augmentation remarquable de taux d'anticorps IgG, equivalent a l’infection aigue, a ete observee chez 15,6% (14/90) (X 2 Cal. 19,85, p=0,05) de femmes enceintes.Les femmes enceintes au premier trimestre, seropositives aux IgM anti-rubeole, ont ete de 36,4% (4/11), deduisant que les foetus de ces femmes sont sensibles aux sequelles de la rubeole. Ce resultat souligne la consequence de la rubeole et confirme la circulation continue du virus de la rubeole dans la zone d'etude. Il est necessaire de vacciner la population vulnerable afin d'assurer le controle et/ou l’elimination du virus de la rubeole au Nigeria. Mots cles: virus de la rubeole, teratogenes, anticorps, Maiduguri Article in English.