This test makes it possible to detect antibodies to rubella in the blood. They are produced in response to infection with a virus. There are two types of antibodies: IgM and IgG. First of all, IgMs appear after infection. The level of this protein in the blood gradually increases and reaches a peak 7-10 days after infection, followed by a decrease in the next few weeks. The exception is infected newborns, in whom IgM antibodies can be detected for several more months, sometimes a year. The presence of IgM antibodies may indicate an acute infection.

The rubella virus usually manifests itself in a mild form and is accompanied by a small red rash that appears on the face and neck and then spreads to the trunk and limbs before disappearing after a few days. In most patients, rubella resolves within a few days without any treatment and does not cause further health problems. The main danger is the contact of a pregnant woman with the rubella virus for the first time during the first trimester of pregnancy – the developing fetus is most vulnerable to rubella at this time. If the virus is transmitted from the mother to the fetus, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and/or the development of congenital rubella syndrome (CBS), a group of serious malformations that can cause developmental delay, mental retardation, deafness, cataracts, microcephaly, liver problems, and heart defects.

What is the research used for?

·To confirm the presence of immunity to the rubella virus

·To detect current or past infections

·To identify those who have never been exposed to the virus and those who have not been vaccinated

·To ensure that the amount (titer) of antibodies against rubella is sufficient to protect against infection in pregnant women and those who are planning pregnancy.