Rubella IgG

Description: 
Quantitative chemiluminescent immuno-assay for Rubella IgG antibodies (Architect, Abbott Diagnostics). Assay is used for rubella immunity screening and investigation of individuals presenting with a rash or contact with a rubella like-illness particularly if pregnant (a rubella IgM assay is also required for clinical non screening cases).
Clinical details: 
Rubella is usually a mild infection. However, if acquired in pregnancy it can give rise to congenital abnormalities such as heart defects, cataracts and deafness. Rubella can produce a maculopapular rash and arthralgia/arthritis and thrombocytopenia may also occur. Rubella is clinically indistinguishable from parvovirus B19 and pregnant women with a rash or contact with a rubella-like illness should be investigated for both infections. The UK immunisation programme has resulted in rubella and congenital rubella now being rare in the United Kingdom. Screening is recommended for pregnant women.
Reference range: 

Values <10 IU/ml are resulted as 'Rubella antibodies not detected' with a recommendation for vaccination with Measles/Mumps/Rubella vaccine. Values >10 IU/ml are resulted as 'Rubella antibodies detected'

Synonyms or keywords: 
German measles, rubella-like illness, rash
Units: 
Not applicable
Sample type and Volume required: 
2.5 – 5ml Yellow Top Serum Separation Tube (SST) Clotted Blood (for serum).
Turnaround time: 
3 working days
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). To prevent sample haemolysis please store samples in refrigerator if a delay in sending samples to CSR is unavoidable.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.

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Last updated: 20/11/2017