Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Low level rubella immunity detected by ELISA and specific lymphocyte transformation

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Archives of Virology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The level of humoral and cell mediated immunity in persons with low or undetectable hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) rubella titers was investigated by ELISA, IgG presence in sucrose gradient separated serum fractions and lymphocyte transformation. The study population consisted of persons with stated history of natural rubella infection and rubella vaccinees. Persons with natural rubella infection and HAI titers of 1:8 or ±1:8 (i.e., incomplete HAI at serum dilution of 1:8) were all ELISA positive and the stimulation index (SI) of specific lymphocyte transformation was higher than 2.5. Among the 20 persons with HAI titers of <1:8, 8 were found to be ELISA positive and their SI was also >2 and IgG was detected in their serum. Rubella vaccinees with HAI titers of 1:8 or ±1:8 were likewise ELISA positive. Their SI was lower: none higher than 3, but none lower than 1.5. Among 23 HAI negative vaccinees, 14 were found ELISA positive. This serum fraction contained IgG and the SI was >1.5. It appears that ELISA test is able to detect antibodies where the HAI test fails. The positive outcome of ELISA test in this case was confirmed by the presence of IgG in serum fractions and by the lymphocyte response to rubella specific stimulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Balfour, H. H., Balfour, C. L., Edelman, C. K., Rierson, P. A.: Evaluation of Wistar RA27/3 rubella virus vaccine in children. Amer. J. Dis. Child.130, 1089–1091 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Buimovici-Klein, E., Vesikari, T., Santangelo, C. F., Cooper, L. Z.: Study of the lymphocytein vitro response to rubella antigen and PHA by a whole blood method. Arch. Virol.52, 323–331 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Buimovici-Klein, E., Weiss, K. E., Cooper, L. Z.: Interferon production in lymphocyte cultures after rubella infection in humans. J. inf. Dis.135, 380–385 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chang, T., Weinstein, L.: Studies of nonspecific inhibition of the hemagglutinin of rubella virus and isolation and identification of the inhibitor. Amer. J. med. Sciences263, 233–239 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Doherty, N., Ronalds, C. J., Pattison, J. R., Heath, R. B.: A comparative study of methods used for removing nonspecific inhibitors of rubella hemagglutination from human sera. Med. Lab. Technology32, 317–320 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Engwall, E., Johnsson, K., Perlmann, P.: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay II. Quantitative assay of protein antigen, immunoglobulin G, by means of an enzyme-labeled anti-immunoglobulin in antigen-coated tubes. J. Immunol.19, 129–135 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Engwall, E., Perimann, P.: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA III. Quantitation of specific antibodies by enzyme-labeled anti-immunoglobulin in antigen-coated tubes. J. Immunol.109, 129–135 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Farguhar, J. D.: Follow-up on rubella vaccinations and experience with subclinical infection. J. Pediatrics81, 460–465 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fogel, A., Gerichter, C. B., Barnea, B., Handsher, R., Heeger, E.: Response to experimental challenge in persons immunized with different rubella vaccines. J. Pediatrics92, 26–29 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Forghani, B., Schmidt, N. J.: Antigen requirements, sensitivity and specificity of enzyme immunoassays for measles and rubella viral antibodies. J. clin. Microbiol.9, 657–664 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gravell, M., Dorsett, P. H., Gutenson, O., Ley, A. C.: Detection of antibody to rubella virus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. J. inf. Dis.136, 5300 to 5303 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Honeyman, M. C., Forrest, J. M., Dorman, D. C.: Cell-mediated immune response following natural rubella and rubella vaccination. Clin. exp. Immunol.17, 665–671 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  13. MacDonald, H., O'H. Tobin, J., Cradock-Watson, J. E., Lomax, J.: Antibody titres in women six to eight years after the administration of RA 27/3 and Cendehill rubella vaccines. J. Hyg. (Camb.)80, 337–347 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Negro Ponzi, A., Pugliese, A., Pertusio, P.: Rubella virus hemagglutination with human and animal erythrocytes: Effect of age and trypsinization. J. clin. Microbiol.7, 442–447 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Rauh, J. L., Schiff, G. M., Johnson, L. B.: Follow-up studies of rubella vaccinees at adolescence. J. Pediatrics86, 138–140 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Rossier, E., Phipps, H. P., Polley, J. R., Webb, T.: Absence of cell-mediated immunity to rubella virus 5 years after rubella vaccination. CMA Journal116, 481–483 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Schiff, G. M., Rauh, J. L., Rotte, T., Trimble, S.: Two-year follow-up of rubella vaccinees in a public school system. Amer. J. Dis. Child.123, 193–196 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Smith, J. A., Cummins, A. C.: Evaluation of a rubella hemagglutination inhibition test system. J. clin. Microbiol3, 5–7 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Vestergaard, B. F., Grauballe, P. C.: ELISA for HSV type-specific antibodies in human sera using HSV type 1 and type 2 polyspecific antigens blocked with type-heterologous rabbit antibodies. Acta path. microbiol. scand. Sect. B78, 261–263 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virus Research Laboratory, Pediatric Service, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, USA

    Elena Buimovici-Klein & L. Z. Cooper

  2. M.A. Bioproducts, Walkersville, Maryland, USA

    A. J. O'Beirne

  3. Public Health Laboratory, New York City Department of Health, New York, USA

    S. J. Millian

Authors
  1. Elena Buimovici-Klein
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. J. O'Beirne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. J. Millian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. Z. Cooper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

With 1 Figure

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Buimovici-Klein, E., O'Beirne, A.J., Millian, S.J. et al. Low level rubella immunity detected by ELISA and specific lymphocyte transformation. Archives of Virology 66, 321–327 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01320628

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01320628

Keywords

Search

Navigation