[The re-emergence in 1997 of rubella infections during pregnancy. 11 cases in Clermont-Ferrand].
OBJECTIVE
Describe the clinical and laboratory features of rubella observed during the first semester of pregnancy in 11 patients in 1997.


METHODS
Eleven pregnant women, aged 15-30 years, were referred to the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital for suspected rubella. Four had had at least 1 prior pregnancy, none had been vaccinated. Rubella serology was obtained for all 11 patients and polymerase chain reaction viral amplification was performed on amniotic fluid in 9 cases.


RESULTS
The virology laboratory identified 8 cases of primary rubella (2 prior to 12 weeks gestation) and 3 reinfections (1 prior to 12 weeks gestation). Fetal infection was evidenced in I gravida II patient at 17-18 weeks gestation. All pregnancies were continued to term and no case of congenital rubella malformation was observed. However specific IgM assays were performed at birth in 6 of the 11 infants and revealed infection in 3.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations indicate that a local epidemic of rubella occurred in the general population. They illustrate the risk of a rubella epidemic in France and the lack of sufficient vaccination of the young adult population, finally they emphasize that current anti-rubella vaccination programs should be promoted.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012409:Rubella / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology