Rubella virus is the causative agent of ?German Measles?, a classical children?s disease. Symptoms are often mild, and up to 50 % of infections may be subclinical or unapparent. However, maternal rubella infection in early pregnancy can cause severe embryopathies.

Rubella virus, an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus, belongs to the Togaviridae family and is the sole member of the genus Rubivirus. It occurs worldwide, and humans are its only known reservoir.

Rubella virus is transmitted by the respiratory route. It replicates in cells of the respiratory tract, extends to the local lymph nodes, and then spreads throughout the body. Approximately 8 days after primary infection the virus can be detected in the blood and in respiratory secretions. Finally a maculopapular rash appears on the face and spreads across the body accompanied by mild fever. Complications like encephalitis and persisting arthropathies are rare. Virus is excreted in nasopharyngeal secretions and in the urine.

When a woman acquires rubella virus during pregnancy it can lead to severe consequences to the fetus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Maternal viremia may result in infection of the placenta and the fetus. Possible outcomes are miscarriage, fetal death, or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).The classic triad of CRS consists of sensorineural deafness (58 % of patients), eye abnormalities - especially cataract and microphthalmia (43 % of patients) and congenital heart disease - especially patent ductus arteriosus (50 % of patients)

Infection may be diagnosed by:

?    Detection of virus by RT-PCR (prenatal)
?    Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI), Haemolysis-in-gel test (HIG)
?    Serology: EIA, ELISA, Immunoblot

Rubella Virus IgG Immunoblot:

The NovaTec Rubella Virus IgG Immunoblot is intended for the qualitative determination of IgG-class antibodies against rubella virus in human serum. Antibodies specific for the E2 structural antigen can serologically rule out a rubella virus infection within the last three months.

Antigens:

Rubella K2S antigen

Specific Performance Characteristics:

Rubella Virus IgG Immunoblot Benefits:

• K2S antigen for high sensitivity
• Identification of antigen-bands via kit-specific template
• Ready-to-use, color-coded reagents
• Assay procedure 2.5 hours

Rubella Serology Timeline