Rubella (German or “3-day” measles) is a mild, contagious rash illness primarily affecting children and young adults. Acute rubella infection is usually self-limited and benign, characterized by low-grade fever, mild upper respiratory symptoms, erythematous maculopapular rash, and suboccipital lymphadenopathy. However, rubella infection early in pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital defects.
This test aids in assessing the patient’s immune response to rubella and determining immune status, especially in women of childbearing age. The presence of rubella IgM antibody or a significant rise in IgG between acute and convalescent specimens indicates acute infection. Acute-phase serum should be collected as soon as possible after rash onset; convalescent-phase serum should be collected ≥10 days after the acute specimen.
Store/transport at 15–30°C for ≤8 hours; 2–8°C for ≤48 hours; freeze at ≤ –20°C if delayed. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Hemolyzed or unseparated specimens.
Enhanced Chemiluminescence
Clinical Interpretation