[Rubella: a current issue?].
Sporadic cases of rubella infection are reported each year in France due to insufficient vaccination coverage. Rubella virus is a very unstable enveloped RNA virus. For this reason, transportation and storage of samples collected for its detection require particular conditions. The genetic stability of rubella virus has allowed the development of very effective vaccines. During the recent rubella outbreaks in Algeria and Tunisia, an unusual high rate of encephalitis was reported. The role of the laboratory is crucial in the management of rubella infection during pregnancy. Rubella serological results must be interpreted with caution. Congenital rubella is a severe disease that should already be eliminated thanks to a very effective vaccine that has been developed. All women of childbearing age should be vaccinated. Rubella vaccination of an unknowingly pregnant woman is not an indication for abortion.
Hôpital Paul-Brousse, service de virologie, Centre national de référence sur les infections rubéoleuses materno-foetales, 94800 Villejuif, France. Electronic address: liliane.keros@abc.ap-hop-paris.fr.
Liliane
L
Grangeot-Keros
Hôpital Paul-Brousse, service de virologie, Centre national de référence sur les infections rubéoleuses materno-foetales, 94800 Villejuif, France.
Elise
E
Bouthry
Hôpital Paul-Brousse, service de virologie, Centre national de référence sur les infections rubéoleuses materno-foetales, 94800 Villejuif, France.
Christelle
C
Vauloup-Fellous
D000025:Abortion, Eugenic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012409:Rubella / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D012410:Rubella Syndrome, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014195:Travel; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult