XXI. RUBELLA SEROLOGY

Virus

1. ______ genome

2. Member of the family _____

1. Single-stranded RNA

2. Togaviridae

Babies born with this exhibit thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, long-bone lesions, retinitis, encephalitis, interstitial pneumonitis, psychiatric disorders, thyroid disorders, and diabetes mellitus

congenital rubella syndrome

• Mild, contagious disease characterized by an erythematous maculopapular rash

• This virus is spread by droplets through the upper respiratory tract

Rubella (German measles)

Where the infection of the mother during pregnancy can result in abortion, stillbirth, or birth defects

Congenital rubella

Congenital rubella

• Typical birth defects that occur if the mother is infected during the first _____ of pregnancy include congenital heart disease, cataracts, and neurosensory deafness.

• Mothers infected after _____ of pregnancy rarely give birth to babies with birth defects

• 8 weeks

• 20–24 weeks

Acute infections

• As the rash fades, _____ antibodies can be detected.

• A blood specimen should be drawn when the symptoms start and another specimen _____ later.

• If at least a ____ rise in antibody titer is detected and clinical symptoms are present, then a diagnosis of rubella can be made 

• _____ antibodies offer lifetime immunity, whereas the ____ antibodies disappear at about 4–5 weeks after infection.

• IgG and IgM

• 5–7 days

• fourfold

• IgG ; IgM

• Was once the standard test for the detection of rubella antibodies.

• It has been replaced by less technical demanding assays.

hemagglutination inhibition

Rubella-specific IgM is determined by either IgM-capture or indirect IgM assays.

ELISA

Latex particles coated with rubella virus are agglutinated by rubella IgG or IgM antibodies, if present.

Passive agglutination