OBJECTIVES: Although rubella serosusceptibility among women of reproductive age in West Africa ranges from 10% to 30%, congenital rubella syndrome has not been reported. In Ghana, rubella immunization and serologic testing are unavailable. Our objectives were to identify congenital rubella syndrome cases, ascertain rubella antibody seroprevalence during pregnancy, and recommend strategies for congenital rubella syndrome surveillance. METHODS: Congenital rubella syndrome cases were identified through prospective surveillance and retrospective surveys of hospital records. A rubella serosurvey of pregnant urban and rural women was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen infants born within a 5-month period met the congenital rubella syndrome case definitions, coinciding with a 9-fold increase in presentation of infantile congenital cataract. The congenital rubella syndrome rate for this otherwise unrecorded rubella epidemic was conservatively estimated to be 0.8 per 1000 live births. A postepidemic rubella immunity rate of 92.6% was documented among 405 pregnant women; susceptibility was significantly associated with younger age (P = .000) and ethnicity (northern tribes, P = .024). CONCLUSIONS: Congenital rubella syndrome occurs in Ghana but is not reported. Information about congenital rubella syndrome and rubella in sub-Saharan Africa is needed to evaluate inclusion of rubella vaccine in proposed measles control campaigns.
OBJECTIVES: Although rubella serosusceptibility among women of reproductive age in West Africa ranges from 10% to 30%, congenital rubella syndrome has not been reported. In Ghana, rubella immunization and serologic testing are unavailable. Our objectives were to identify congenital rubella syndrome cases, ascertain rubella antibody seroprevalence during pregnancy, and recommend strategies for congenital rubella syndrome surveillance. METHODS:Congenital rubella syndrome cases were identified through prospective surveillance and retrospective surveys of hospital records. A rubella serosurvey of pregnant urban and rural women was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen infants born within a 5-month period met the congenital rubella syndrome case definitions, coinciding with a 9-fold increase in presentation of infantile congenital cataract. The congenital rubella syndrome rate for this otherwise unrecorded rubella epidemic was conservatively estimated to be 0.8 per 1000 live births. A postepidemic rubella immunity rate of 92.6% was documented among 405 pregnant women; susceptibility was significantly associated with younger age (P = .000) and ethnicity (northern tribes, P = .024). CONCLUSIONS:Congenital rubella syndrome occurs in Ghana but is not reported. Information about congenital rubella syndrome and rubella in sub-Saharan Africa is needed to evaluate inclusion of rubella vaccine in proposed measles control campaigns.
Authors: Terri B Hyde; Helena Keico Sato; LiJuan Hao; Brendan Flannery; Qi Zheng; Kathleen Wannemuehler; Flávia Helena Ciccone; Heloisa de Sousa Marques; Lily Yin Weckx; Marco Aurélio Sáfadi; Eliane de Oliveira Moraes; Marisa Mussi Pinhata; Jaime Olbrich Neto; Maria Cecilia Bevilacqua; Alfredo Tabith Junior; Tatiana Alves Monteiro; Cristina Adelaide Figueiredo; Jon K Andrus; Susan E Reef; Cristiana M Toscano; Carlos Castillo-Solorzano; Joseph P Icenogle Journal: J Infect Dis Date: 2014-10-31 Impact factor: 5.226
Authors: C J E Metcalf; O N Bjørnstad; M J Ferrari; P Klepac; N Bharti; H Lopez-Gatell; B T Grenfell Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2010-09-15 Impact factor: 2.451
Authors: Olatunji Mathew Kolawole; Ekuntoye O Anjorin; Daniel A Adekanle; Caroline Folashade Kolawole; Kabir Adekunle Durowade Journal: Int J Prev Med Date: 2014-03