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Italian Journal of Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Serological evidence of acute rubella infection among under-fives in Mwanza: a threat to increasing rates of congenital rubella syndrome in Tanzania

Authors: Mariam M. Mirambo, Said Aboud, Martha F. Mushi, Mwanaisha Seugendo, Mtebe Majigo, Uwe Groß, Stephen E. Mshana

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Control of rubella infection is essential for preventing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and one of the important steps is to define a target population for vaccination. Therefore this study was done to determine serological evidence of acute rubella infection among under-fives in order to anticipate the magnitude of rubella virus transmission in Tanzania.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving children aged between 1 and 59 months was conducted between September and October 2014 before national rubella vaccination campaigns commenced. Rubella IgM antibodies were detected using commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using STATA version 11.

Results

A total of230 under-fives were enrolled, their median age was 14 (Interquartile range (IQR) 7–26) months. The overall seroprevalence of rubella IgM antibodies was 10.9 % (25/230) with two confirmed cases of CRS. Two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed that the median age of rubella IgM seropositive children was significantly higher than that of IgM seronegative children (39 IQR: 18-51months vs. 14 IQR: 7–24 months, P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis increase in age (OR: 1.07, 95 % CI; 1.03–1.1, P < 0.001) and residing in rural areas (OR: 8.07, 95 % CI; 1.43–45.6, P = 0.018) were independently found to predict acute rubella infection among under-fives.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that rubella virus is prevalent in our setting posing a risk of transmitting to childbearing aged women hence increasing the risk of CRS. Increasing prevalence of acute infection with age in under-fives indicates the protective role of maternal antibodies among infants. The sustained vaccination programme of under-fives as effective measure to control CRS should be emphasized in developing countries.

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Title: Serological evidence of acute rubella infection among under-fives in Mwanza: a threat to increasing rates of congenital rubella syndrome in Tanzania
Authors: Mariam M. Mirambo
Said Aboud
Martha F. Mushi
Mwanaisha Seugendo
Mtebe Majigo
Uwe Groß
Stephen E. Mshana
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-016-0264-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

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Serological evidence of acute rubella infection among under-fives in Mwanza: a threat to increasing rates of congenital rubella syndrome in Tanzania

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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