title: Seroprevalence of rubella-specific IgM and IgG antibodies among pregnant women seen in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rubella is a contagious viral infection that in pregnant women leads to the infection of a developing fetus, causing fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Pregnant women are not routinely screened for rubella in Nigeria. Epidemiological data on rubella is therefore necessary to create awareness and sensitize health care administrators and providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital between June and August 2012 to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to rubella virus in pregnant women using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Seroprevalence was compared among 160 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and 20 nonpregnant women of childbearing age studying at Ahmadu Bello University. Prior to sample collection, questionnaires were administered to the women to obtain data on sociodemographics, awareness and knowledge of rubella, possible risk factors, and clinical symptoms associated with the viral infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 160 pregnant women, 149 (93.1%) and 62 (38.8%) were positive for anti-rubella IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. Similarly, of the 20 nonpregnant women, 18 (90%) and eight (40%) were positive for rubella IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. None of the possible risk factors studied were significantly associated with infection. Age and other sociodemographic factors were of little significance, and awareness of rubella was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of rubella was high in both pregnant (93.1%) and nonpregnant women (90%), suggesting sustained transmission, which further suggests endemicity. The presence of rubella IgM and IgG antibodies in pregnant women predisposes babies to congenital rubella syndrome and emphasizes the need for the initiation of a national rubella vaccination program in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Okikiola M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Olajide
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aminu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abdullahi J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Randawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Adejo
keywords: Nigeria; antibodies; pregnant women; rubella; seroprevalence