Serologic Testing for Rubella

Serologic Testing

July 2008

Because of this, Mayo Medical Laboratories has discontinued all serologic testing for IgM-class antibodies to Rubella. This decision was based on several factors, including:

• The absence of endemic transmission of the disease in the United States as determined by the CDC;
• The high rate of vaccine coverage (>95%) among school-aged children;
• The high level of immunity in this country; and finally,
• The potential negative impact of false-positive Rubella IgM result.

Although it’s not recommended, Rubella IgM testing is often performed prenatally in asymptomatic pregnant women. In this setting, a false-positive result may generate substantial worry to parents, needless follow-up testing, needless expenditure of resources, and potentially the termination of healthy pregnancies.

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Serologic Testing

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Jump to section:

• Introduction
• Patient Case
• Patient Case (continued)
• Background
• Serologic Testing
• Timeline to Elimination
• Number of Rubella Cases
• Reported Rubella Incidence Rates
• Patient case (continued)
• Rubella IgM
• Serologic Testing
• Serologic Testing
• Conclusion
• Questions?