Rubella Igg & Igm, Serum

Rubella is a viral infection that typically begins with a skin rash and fever.

The purpose of a rubella test is to detect a rubella infection or assess immunity to the virus. Testing may be ordered for diagnosis, prenatal screening, or to find evidence of immunity.

Antibodies are proteins made by the body’s immune system to fight infections, viruses, and bacteria. After contracting a rubella infection, the body develops antibodies to the virus.

Rubella IgG & IgM antibody test measure the amount of rubella antibodies in a blood sample to help diagnose a current or recent rubella infection.

Rubella-virus specific IgM antibodies (rubella IgM) develop shortly after primary infection or vaccination. Rubella-virus specific IgG antibodies (rubella IgG) become detectable by day four after rash onset in rubella infections and reach peak levels in the following one to two weeks. While rubella IgM persists for up to three months, rubella IgG can last a lifetime.

• Rubella IgG serology testing should be used for assessing rubella immunity, including before, during, and after pregnancy.
• Testing for rubella IgG avidity can be used to distinguish between recent exposure to rubella and a more distant exposure.
• Rubella IgM testing should be limited to suspected rubella cases. It is not recommended for screening asymptomatic people.
• Routine IgM screening of pregnant people is not recommended.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) is an illness in infants that results from maternal infection with rubella virus during pregnancy. Rubella infection during early pregnancy can result in a variety of possible birth defects.

Detection of rubella IgM by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is used to confirm suspected cases of acute rubella infection and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). IgM is typically detectable between 4 and 30 days after rash onset in acute rubella infection and for up to six months after birth in CRS cases. A person may also be rubella IgM positive after recent vaccination.

Other Names :  Rubella Antibodies, Rubella Antibodies-IgM, Rubella Antibodies-IgG, Rubella Serology, Rubella RT-PCR, Rubella RT-qPCR, German Measles Test, Three-Day Measles Test.