Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
A Multiplex Serological Assay for the Detection of Antibody Responses to Arboviruses
Published on: November 4, 2025
[Rubella seroprevalence in Tunisian childbearing women two years after vaccination program introduction]
M Chaabouni1, F Messadi, L Fki
1Laboratoire de microbiologie, centre hospitalo-universitaire Habib-Bourguiba, Sfax, Tunisie. mariem.chaabouni@laposte.net
Unlabelled:
Acquiring rubella during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can lead to teratogenic effects.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of rubella vaccination strategy two years after its introduction in Tunisia in 2005.
Methods:
This study was conducted over two periods, 2000 and 2007-2008. A total of 15,776 childbearing women were enrolled in the sample. Serological studies were performed by using the ELISA method.
Results:
Overall, rubella infection seroprevalence did not increase between 2000 and 2007-2008. Nevertheless, a significant increase in seroprevalence, from 78.2% in 2000 to 92% in 2007-2008 (P=0.006), was especially noted in the age group under 20 years. Seroprevalence did also statistically increase with parity in 2007-2008 from 77.4% in women without any parity to 89.8% in women with over three parities (P=0.01).
Conclusions:
Results improvements seem most likely due to mass vaccination campaign for girls aged from 13 to 18 years in 2005, and also routinely post-partum vaccination of seronegative pregnant women or women ignoring their rubella status. In the coming years, systematic selective immunization of 12-year-old schoolgirls who are not yet entering their prime childbearing years will achieve female population sufficient immunity.
Related Concept Videos
01:51Vaccinations
01:07Teratogenicity
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...