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Congenital rubella after maternal reinfection
Insights
Congenital rubella virus infection was diagnosed in a boy via virus isolation and antibody tests. His mother showed a significant rise in rubella antibody titers during pregnancy, despite no apparent illness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital rubella virus infection poses significant health risks to newborns.
- Maternal immunity and serological responses during pregnancy are crucial for preventing fetal infection.
Abstract:
This report concerns a boy with congenital rubella virus infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by virus isolation, demonstration of rubella-specific serum IgM and by persistence of serum antibody at the age of 9 months. In 2 sera from the mother sampled 2 weeks apart 20 months before the birth of the boy, low titers of rubella antibody were demonstrated by hemagglutination-inhibition, hemolysis-in-gel and complement fixation tests, but not by neutralization. Significant rises in titer were demonstrable by all serologic reactions--including neutralization--at the time of birth of the infected child. The mother was not aware of any rubella-like illness or exposure to such disease during pregnancy. The case is discussed against findings of neutralizing activity in sera from natural immunes and rubella vaccinees.