PMID: 9534272Jan 1, 1997Paper

Current developments in the laboratory diagnosis of rubella

Bulletin De La Société Des Sciences Médicales Du Grand-Duché De Luxembourg
B Weber

Abstract

Thirty years after the introduction of the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HAI), laboratory diagnosis of rubella virus infection has achieved a high reliability. While the HAI remains the reference standard against which newer assays are compared, routine laboratory diagnosis is based mainly on ELISA tests which permit a more rapid and less cumbersome detection of specific IgG and IgM antibody. Although quantification of immunoglobulin G against rubella virus is performed using WHO standards, the correlation between different ELISAs is relatively poor. Despite substantial improvements in virus isolation and nucleic acid amplification techniques, serology remains the mainstay of diagnosis for both acquired and postnatal diagnosis of congenital infection. Differentiation between primary and re-infection is of critical importance during pregnancy and can be achieved relatively reliably by antibody avidity determination or by immunoblot. While current anti-rubella IgM ELISAs are relatively sensitive, their specificity may be limited by cross reactivity with other viruses, i.e. parvovirus B19 and Epstein-Barr virus. Maternal reinfection with congenital rubella syndrome is very rare, however it may be misdiagnosed in the absence o...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.