Persistence of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies after postnatal rubella infection determined by solid-phase radioimmunoassay

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Abstract
The appearance and persistence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies in postnatal rubella infections were studied by employing a solid-phase radioimmunoassay test. Altogether, 222 serial serum specimens from 51 patients with acute rubella infection were tested. IgG and IgM antibodies developed rapidly and appeared in all patients within 4 days after onset of rash. In some patients, IgM antibodies clearly preceded IgG antibodies, but the reverse situation was also noticed in a few cases. IgG antibodies showed only minor changes after 8-10 days from onset of rash. IgM titers reached a maximum level at about 8-10 days after onset of rash, after which time a rapid decrease was normally seen. Mean half-life of IgM antibodies after 15 days from the onset of rash was 4.5 days, giving for IgM antibodies persistence times from 43 to about 80 days. Two patients with a prolonged IgM antibody response were detected. One of these patients had bilateral arthritis of the knee as a complication, but in the other patient no complication caused by rubella virus was detected. IgM antibody response and its value in diagnosis are discussed.