Loss of Rubella Hemagglutination Inhibition Antibody in Congenital Rubella

Abstract

Serial determinations of rubella hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody levels were performed on serum specimens obtained from 223 women who had rubella during pregnancy and their 223 children with congenital rubella. The decline in HI antibody following congenital infection was more rapid than following postnatal infection. By the end of five years, 27 of these children no longer had detectable HI antibody, although all mothers still had antibody. Among 270 children with congenital rubella who had reached their fifth birthday, 50 (18.5%) were seronegative. When 19 such seronegative children were given rubella vaccine [HPV]-77 (high-passage virus strain), only two (10%) of them seroconverted. In contrast, 134 of 135 (99%) normal children of the same age seroconverted.