Specific Response of the Immunoglobulins to Rubella Infection

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Abstract
Three conjugated antisera, each specific for either IgG, IgA or IgM were used to identify the class of immunoglobulins showing rubella antibody activity. In whole sera from adult cases of rubella obtained during the 1st month after the onset of rash, IgM and IgA antibodies were shown in the 2 sera obtained from patients before the 3rd day after rash. During the 2nd week after rash, rubella antibodies of all 3 classes were found. IgM rubella antibodies were not demonstrated by this technique in 3 patients'' sera obtained later than 18 days after the onset of rash. Sera from 9 to 11 infants with the rubella syndrome had IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. One of the remaining 2 infants had only IgG antibodies at 2 months of age but serum obtained 5 months later showed both IgG and IgA antibodies to rubella. The remaining infant with rubella syndrome did not have rubella antibodies at 10 months of age despite recovery of virus from his throat and spinal fluid. Serum from 10 normal new-born infants showed only IgG rubella antibodies. One other infant considered to be normal at birth was subsequently found to be deaf. This infant had IgG, IgA and IgM rubella antibodies in his cord serum. The successful use of the indirect fluorescent antibody technique for detecting the presence of IgM and IgA antibodies as well as IgG antibodies following either acquired or congenital rubella demonstrates a practical method for the differentiation of active immunity from passive immunity due to the presence of maternal IgG in infants younger than 6 months of age. The fluorescent antibody methods effective in rubella serology may also be of value in exploring the epidemiology of other prenatal infectious diseases.