Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume 12, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 253-257

Congenital rubella syndrome and immunity status of immigrant women living in southern Italy: A cross-sectional, seroepidemiological investigation (Article)

Lo Giudice D.* , Capua A. , La Fauci V. , Squeri R. , Grillo O.C. , Calimeri S.
  • a Department of Biomedical Sciences and Images Morphological and Functional, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
  • b Department of Biomedical Sciences and Images Morphological and Functional, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
  • c Department of Biomedical Sciences and Images Morphological and Functional, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
  • d Department of Biomedical Sciences and Images Morphological and Functional, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
  • e Department of Biomedical Sciences and Images Morphological and Functional, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
  • f Department of Biomedical Sciences and Images Morphological and Functional, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy

Abstract

Objectives A National Programme to eliminate Measles and Congenital Rubella was implemented in Italy in 2003. It aimed to achieve elimination by 2010 in line with the targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rubella antibodies in samples of immigrant women living in southern Italy. Method A seroepidemiologic study was conducted from 1 January 2008 to June 30 2009. 489 immigrant women resident in Messina were enrolled in the study. The detection of rubella antibodies was performed using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data including age, country of origin, educational level and knowledge about rubella. Results The results of the seroepidemiological survey to detect rubella antibodies showed an overall seropositivity rate of 82.2%. Generally, knowledge about rubella and congenital rubella syndrome was lacking. Conclusion Many immigrants are susceptible to rubella and may benefit from vaccination programmes. Additional catch-up vaccination strategies are urgently needed to eliminate the risk of congenital rubella syndrome for future generations. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Rubella immigrants Questionnaire Antibody prevention

Index Keywords

immigrant Antibodies, Viral risk human epidemiology middle aged priority journal disease eradication immunity Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult Rubella Syndrome, Congenital congenital rubella syndrome migrant cross-sectional study rubella antibodies Humans Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire immunology prevalence microparticle enzyme immunoassay Article blood major clinical study adult world health organization Italy vaccination Seroepidemiologic Studies virus antibody rubella vaccine rubella antibody
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84901849758&doi=10.1016%2fj.tmaid.2014.01.003&partnerID=40&md5=0d3c92edd44de0c96e77d33c59196f1a
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2014.01.003
ISSN: 14778939
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English