title: Seroprevalence of rubella and measles antibodies in Lao PDR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nowadays, measles and rubella epidemics still occur worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study investigated seroprevalence of rubella and measles IgG antibodies by using a comercial enzyme immunoassay. The findings helped to understand the current status of these infections in school children in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seropositive rate for measles antibody was 97.6%. Most importantly, more than half of 411 healthy children (56.4%) were rubella seronegative and susceptible to acquired rubella infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results highlight a high proportion of rubella-seronegative children, suggesting that they are susceptible to rubella and face the risk of congenital rubella syndrome. It was the first study to report on seroprevalence of rubella in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, Institute of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Manilay
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Phengxay
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayakawa
authors.forename: Tung Gia
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Kumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uneno-Yamamoto
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka-Taya
authors.forename: Phengta
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vongphrachanh
authors.forename: Katsuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komase
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ushijima
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral