German Measles (Rubella IgG)

German Measles (Rubella Test):

Why German Measles (Rubella) Test?

CLINICAL INFORMATION

Rubella is a contagious disease (a viral illness that can lead to severe complications and also can result in fetal death) caused by a virus also known as German measles (also known as 3 days fever). Rubella virus is classified as a Rubivirus in the Matonaviridae family. It is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus. The mode of transmission of the Rubella virus is primarily through direct or droplet contact from nasopharyngeal secretions. Moreover, Rubella spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Rubella (German measles) Test is one among the TORCH Panel Tests for pregnancy during an antenatal check-up because it can cause serious problems for unborn babies/babies in multiple pregnancies like twins, triplets etc, whose mother become infected during pregnancy. It is thus necessary to know if an expectant mother has immunity if when she accidentally encounters the symptoms of rubella viral infection such as fever, sore throat and rash (the rash that starts on the face spreads to the rest of the body), prolonged headaches, earache, stiff neck etc. Hence the woman has to get vaccinated before she plans to get pregnant to avoid Congenital Rubella (pregnant women with Rubella passes it to her developing fetus in her womb in the uterus by vertical transmission). It is an important screening test during the pregnancy period because the new-born shows abnormal signs of development (such as affecting the eyes like causing cataracts, hearing impairments i.e loss or hearing and eyesight and/or heart problems, damage to the liver, spleen, low birth weight and also may cause intellectual disabilities during the child’s development) or can result in serious birth defects due to rubella virus (developing fetus in the womb) in the uterus and also has an incidence of miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant mothers. Therefore children born with such serious birth defects due to rubella during pregnancy (especially during the first trimester) are collectively termed Congenital Rubella Syndrome - CRS. Complications of CRS include Glaucoma, brain damage, inflammation of the lung, thyroid and other hormonal problems etc. Clinical manifestations of rubella virus are distinctive red rash (maculo-papular rash), fever, headache, discomfort, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, conjunctivitis, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy – involves posterior auricular or sun occipital lymph nodes) etc.  Children show signs and symptoms in their skin and lymph nodes. Complications of Rubella include arthritis, bleeding problems. Hence women who plan for pregnancy should always get vaccinated in advance and also in case of children who get vaccinated with MMR (Measles – Mumps – Rubella) Vaccine against Rubella virus. Clinical diagnosis for the Rubella virus is performed by Rubella (German measles) test. Clinically investigation for rubella is not much reliable since the infection may be sub-clinical stage or the definitive diagnosis may be highly unapparent (indecisive) in many cases. Thus diagnosis by screening tests becomes highly mandatory in case of Rubella viral infection (especially during pregnancy since vertical transmission is possible – a pregnant mother can transmit her viral infection to the fetus in her uterus). Specimen sample for suspected Rubella viral infection is ideally throat swab or nasal swab or urine specimen (may also be considered during viral shedding) for viral detection by PCR Testing, molecular typing and serological blood tests (to detect rubella antibodies by ELISA or EIA). 

General Instructions:

Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.

NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.

This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.