Serum inquiry for rubella in schoolteachers in the city of S. Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The sera of 415 female schoolteachers aged 20 to 35 years and over, from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were tested for rubella hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies. Antibodies to rubella virus were found in 67.9%. Of these, 59.5% had titers ranging from 1:8 to 1:32 and 8.4% had titers of 1:64 and higher. No significant differences were observed between age-groups. Four of 35 sera with titers of 1:64 and higher showed reduction in the hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titer after treatment with 2 ME, a sulphydryl-reduction compound wich breaks down IgM immunoglobulins. Some comments are presented on the necessity of developing programs of routine tests for the continuing assessment of the susceptibility of schoolteachers to rubella infection and vaccination, provided adequate precautions are followed.