Introduction

Rubella infection is caused by an RNA virus. The symptoms of rubella infection include a rash, low-grade fever, arthralgia, and lymphadenopathy. In most cases, the disease is self-limiting and rarely causes complications. Nevertheless, it causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) when the infection occurs during the first trimester of gestation. Complications of CRS may include miscarriage and severe abnormalities of the fetus, such as cataracts, retinopathy, heart defects, neurological deficits, and deafness. No antiviral drugs are available for treating rubella or preventing transmission to the fetus. Vaccination programs are regarded as an effective tool to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella [1–3] and [4].

As per the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate worldwide, more than 100,000 children are born with congenital rubella syndrome [5].

Rubella usually begins with malaise, low-grade fever, and a morbilliform rash appearing on the same day. The rash starts on the face, extends over the trunk and extremities, and rarely last more than 3 days. No feature of the rash is pathognomonic for rubella. Unless an epidemic occurs, the disease is difficult to diagnose clinically, as the rash caused by other viruses (e.g. enteroviruses) is similar [6] and [7]. However, the disease poses a particular threat to the developing fetus if contracted during early pregnancy. In utero, infection of the fetus may result in congenital deformity or other consequences of congenital rubella syndrome [8].

Rubella epidemics are, or have been, a world-wide phenomenon. Before the introduction of vaccine in countries such as Australia, United States of America, the United Kingdom and European Countries, rubella epidemics occurred in cycles of 6-9 year Interval [9]. In U.S.A, before the introduction of the vaccine, a single epidemic resulted in 20,000 infants being born with permanent damage due to intrauterine infection with rubella virus [10]. Elsewhere, while the Immune Status of many populations regarding rubella is less clear, some data have been reported. In Saudi Arabia, the antibody prevalence among girls aged 5-25 years has been reported to be 92% [11]. In some Africa Countries, 80% of children have been found to be positive for rubella antibodies by the age of 10 years [12]. Post-epidemic rubella antibody prevalence in Ghana has been found to be 92% among pregnant women, with susceptibility associated with a younger age [13]. In Eritrea, the prevalence of antibodies to rubella has been reported to be as high as 99% in some female population [14]. In Nigeria, rubella antibody prevalence in women of child bearing age has been reported to be 77% [15]. Some of these studies have reported an early age of exposure to rubella [12] and [13]. The highest sero-prevalence has been seen in age group as young as 5-9years and in pre-school children [16] and [17].

The general aim of this study is to determine serological evidence of recent rubella infection among children in the study area, since children could harbor the virus and serve as a good source of spread in a community, and since statistics on prevalence of rubella infection are scarce in Nigeria and particularly, the study area.

Materials and methods

Study area

The research was carried out in Jos City. Jos is the capital of Plateau state and is centrally situated in Plateau State, Nigeria. Jos University Teaching Hospital was chosen as Sample Collection Centre.

Ethical consideration

The ethical clearance for this research was granted by the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) ethical Committee after due process had been followed. Before the collection of sample, information regarding the study was explained to the parents of the subjects (Children). Oral and written consent for participation in the study was obtained.

Exclusion criteria

Only children that fall within the age range 0-10years were selected for this study. Those falling out of this range were excluded from this study.

Sample collection

Samples were collected from June to October; 2007. The entire work was conducted over a 6month period.

A total of 93 blood samples were collected from children who fall within the age range of 0-10 years using sterile syringe and needles. Questionnaires were also filled by parents who accompanied the children. Between 2 to 3 millilitres (mls) of blood was collected depending on the age of the child.

Treatment of the samples

The blood samples were allowed to clot, and then centrifuged at 3000rpm for 5 minutes. The sera were then harvested into clean sterile bottles and were then frozen at -20°c until needed for assay.

The test

The test was carried out using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method (ELISA). ELISA has been shown to be a sensitive and reliable procedure for detection of antibodies to rubella with diagnostic sensitivity of 98% and diagnostic specificity of ≥ 98%. The ELISA Kit used for this test was prepared and manufactured by BIOTEC laboratories Ltd, 32 Anson Road, Suffolk, UK. The test procedures were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Calculation of result

Results were calculated as indicated by the prospectus.

The results were reported as activity index values (A.I). The A.I. compares the binding activity (positivity) of the test samples to the cut-off level 0f activity that is defined as positive (Activity index value-1.0). The A.I. values of the test samples were deduced from a semi log graph of Absorbance reading of the calibrators against the assigned activity index value listed on the vials of the negative, low positive and high positive controls. Accordingly, results below 0.90 were considered negative and those above 1.10 were considered positive. Values between 0.91 and 1.09 were considered indeterminate results. There was no indeterminate result in the tested samples.

Statistical analysis

The data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 14.0 software program. Chi square (X2) was used to test the significance of variables

Result

Table 1 shows the prevalence of rubella among children tested for rubella IgM antibody. It revealed that 42(45.2%) out of 93 children tested were positive for rubella IgM antibody whereas 51(54.8%) were negative. The distribution of the positive subjects in relation to sex shows that 14(15.1%) of the infected children were males while 28(30.1%) were females.

Table 1 Status of rubella in relation to sex
Full size table

A breakdown of the infected subjects with respects to their age groups is shown in table 2. It revealed that the age groups 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 years had the highest number of infected children which is 8(8.6%) in each age group. It was followed by age groups 7-8 and 9-10 years which had 7(7.5%) of infected children in each group while age group <1 years had the least number of infected children of 4(4.3%).

Table 2 Prevalence of rubella IgM in relation to age group of the children
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Of the 42(100%) children infected, 42(100%), 39(92.8%) and 8(19.6%) had shown history of fever, rashes and blood transfusion respectively (Table 3).

Table 3 Sero prevalence in relation to history of blood transfusion, interactions with elders, fever and rashes
Full size table

Seroprevalence of rubella in the subjects, in relation to the demographic data of the mothers indicated that 25(26.9%), 13(14.0%) and 4(4.3%) represents 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49 years age group of the mothers of the rubella seropositive subjects. 20(21.5%), 12(12.9%), 8(8.6%) and 2(2.2%) of the seropositive subjects had mothers who were house wives, civil servants, business women and others respectively. The highest prevalence of rubella was observed in children whose mothers were house wives. The educational status of the mothers of the rubella seropositive children revealed that the highest prevalence occurred in children whose mothers must have had attained secondary school. Children whose mothers were married had the highest prevalence of 36(38.7%) compared to single mothers with 6(6.5%) and divorced mothers with 0(0.0%). Children whose mothers were involved in monogamy type of marriage had the highest prevalence of 23(24.7%) positivity while those whose mothers were involved in polygamy had 19(20.4%) out of the total number of children enrolled (Table 4).

Table 4 Sero prevalence in relation to the demographic data of the mothers
Full size table

Discussion

Rubella is known to be a common cause of Maculopapular rash illness with fever and is also a childhood disease that can be either symptomatic or asymptomatic [18]. Of the 93(100%) children assayed for rubella IgM antibodies, 42(45.2%) were positive. This is a highly significant value indeed, since in United States, a single case of rubella infection is considered a potential out break [19]. It implies that the infected children have the potential to transmit the infection to others in a congregate environment like house holds, day cares, schools, places of worship and other social gathering [19]. The Medical Practitioners especially women of child bearing age who are not immuned to rubella are at risk if they come in contact with these infected children because they may contract the infection at their first trimester or second trimester and transmit it vertically to the developing fetus and hence, risk of congenital rubella syndrome [20].

Gender wise distribution of the positive subjects showed no significant difference between male and female. The same was observed in a study conducted in Chandigarh in 1874 [21] and in Bolivia and Turkey [22] and [4]. This implies that in the control of rubella, immunization should be given to all male and female children to reduce the circulation of the virus in a community [23].

This study observed a slight increase in seropositivity of 8(8.6%) in children that fall within the age groups 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 years. The slight increase of positivity in these age groups may be due to risk factors like frequent exposures to already infected people in congregate environments like schools and play grounds [19].

Of the 42 (100%) positive cases, 39(92.8%) showed classical history of rashes which is in accord with the fact that some people could be asymptomatically or symptomatically infected with rubella [18].

The demographic data (Age, occupation, educational status, marital status and type of marriage) of the mothers of these children were also linked with the rubella positivity and negativity of these children. The rubella IgM positivity of the children assayed decreases with an increase in the age of their mothers. This could be attributed to the fact that mothers of younger ages visit congregate environment frequently with their children and thereby exposing their children to several risk of contracting rubella via contact or respiratory route. Children whose mothers were full time house wives had the highest prevalence of 20(21.5%) unlike civil servant 12(12.9), business women 8(8.6%) and others 2(2.2%). Children whose mothers must have had attained secondary schools were the mostly infected with 19(20.4%) positivity, unlike primary 15(16.1%), tertiary 7(7.5%) and none 1(1.1%). Marital status of the mothers also influenced the status of rubella among the studied group. Children whose mothers were married were the ones most infected. The possible reason may be as a result of high level of contact/Interactions at the family level which promotes rubella transmission since rubella Seroprevalence increases as the number of sibling's increases [24].

Conclusion

Rubella infection control is essential for eliminating indigenous and preventing CRS. The strategies for rubella outbreak control include defining target population for rubella vaccination, ensuring that susceptible persons within the target populations are vaccinated rapidly and maintaining rubella and CRS surveillance. Control measures should be implemented as soon as a case of rubella is identified. Maintaining control measures is essential when pregnant women are possible contacts of patients with rubella. Susceptible pregnant women who are exposed to rubella should be thoroughly evaluated for possible rubella infection.

Recommendation

It is recommended that a policy of mass vaccination of children should be put in place in order to effectively control rubella which could be circulated to women of child bearing age who are the ones most at risk of contracting rubella infection.