title: Rubella seropositivity in the United States, 1988-1994.
abstract: Data obtained in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), conducted during 1988-1994, were analyzed to determine the epidemiology of rubella seropositivity in the United States, including risk factors for low rubella seropositivity. Serological samples obtained from NHANES III study participants > or =6 years of age were tested for rubella IgG antibodies. "Rubella seropositivity" was defined as serum rubella IgG antibody level > or =10 IU by enzyme immunoassay. Overall, rubella seropositivity rates in the United States were 92% in persons aged 6-11 years, 83% in persons aged 12-19 years, 85% in persons aged 20-29 years, 89% in persons aged 30-39 years, and >or =93% in persons aged > or =40 years. The lowest rate (78%) of any United States birth cohort of the 20th century occurred among persons born from 1970-1974. Eliminating rubella and chronic rubella syndrome in the United States will require international efforts, including vaccination of preschool- and school-age children and all susceptible young adults.
authors.affiliation: National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. cad3@cdc.gov
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dykewicz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kruszon-Moran
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: McQuillan
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Van Loon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cossen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forghani
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hadler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G