Korean Journal of Nosocomial Infection Control  1997;2(2):97-103

Investigation of Immune Status to Rubella Virus and Rubella Vaccination in Hospital Employees for Nosocomial Infection Control.

Tae Youn CHOI ; Won Bae KIM

Keywords

Rubella; Antibody; Rubella vaccine; Hospital employee

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The risk of rubella infection is higher among hospital employees than others because of more exposure to rubella viruses. Because rubella infection during pregnancy can cause congenital rubella syndrome, special preventive measures should be taken for female employees in the hospital. METHODS: 309 employees in Soonchunhyang Kumi Hospital, aged from 18 to 45 years old, were included this study. Rubella IgG antibody was detected by the method of MEIA (microparticle enzyme immunoassay). And non-immunized employees were received by Wister RA 27/3 rubella vaccination and rechecked rubella antibody titers at 2 months later after vaccination. RESULTS: Among 309 subjects, 276(89.3%) were positive for rubella IgG antibody. The overall mean titer of rubella antibody was 72 IU/mL (SD: 67 IU/mL). The rubella antibody in titer decreased gradually with aging. The seroconversion rate after vaccination was 100%(28/28). CONCLUSIONS: The authors recommend that the employees susceptible to rubella or all employees in the hospital should be vaccinated for preventing rubella.