Preview

Epidemiology and Vaccinal Prevention

Advanced search

Seroprevalence of Rubella Virus in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

https://doi.org/10.31631/2073-3046-2026-25-1-33-37

Abstract

Relevance. Rubella virus is commonly associated with a minor infection, however, if transmitted during pregnancy, it can cause serious consequences which includ congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have weakened immune systems, making it difficult for them to fight off rubella infection or receive the vaccine. As a result, determining the amount of rubella antibodies in these patients can aid in developing more effective preventative strategies. Aims. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare rubella virus antibody levels (IgM and IgG) in CKD patients and healthy controls. Materials and Methods. A case-control study design was adpted, with 180 CKD patients and 180 apparently healthy persons, serum samples were analyzed for rubella-specific IgM and IgG antibodies by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Rubella IgM was detected in 81/180 of controls and 65/180 of CKD patients. Rubella IgG was positive in all participants (360/360, 100%). Mean IgG concentration was significantly higher in CKD patients (456.82 ± 144.90 IU/ml) than in controls (169.45 ± 117.52 IU/ml; t = 20.666, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Both CKD patients and controls tested positive for rubella IgG, while CKD patients had a lower IgM positivity rate, patients with chronic renal disease had significantly higher mean IgG titers, which could indicate changed immune regulation or changes in exposure and immunization history. These findings need careful interpretation and additional testing of rubella immunity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

About the Author

H. H. Lazim
Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Iraq

Lazim H. H. – PhD (Microbiology), Lecturer

Baghdad



References

1. Creisher PS, Klein SL. Pathogenesis of viral infections during pregnancy. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2024 Jun;37(2):e0007323. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00073-23

2. Ushida M, Katow S, Furukawa S. Congenital rubella syndrome due to infection after maternal antibody conversion with vaccine. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2003 Apr;56(2):68–9. https://doi.org/10.7883/yoken.JJID.2003.68

3. Andrade JQ, Bunduki V, Curti SP, Figueiredo CA, de Oliveira MI, Zugaib M. Rubella in pregnancy: intrauterine transmission and perinatal outcome during a Brazilian epidemic. J Clin Virol Off Publ Pan Am Soc Clin Virol. 2006 Mar;35(3):285–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2005.09.007

4. Schulz J, Schilling E, Fabian C, Zenclussen AC, Stojanovska V, Claus C. Dissecting Rubella Placental Infection in an In Vitro Trophoblast Model. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Apr;24(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24097894

5. Geiger R, Fink FM, Sölder B, Sailer M, Enders G. Persistent rubella infection after erroneous vaccination in an immunocompromised patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission. J Med Virol. 1995 Dec;47(4):442–4. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.1890470425

6. Perelygina L, Icenogle J, Sullivan KE. Rubella virus-associated chronic inflammation in primary immunodeficiency diseases. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;20(6):574–81. DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000694

7. Das S, Ramachandran VG, Arora R. Cytomegalovirus and rubella infection in children and pregnant mothers--a hospital based study. J Commun Dis. 2007 Jun;39(2):113–7. PMID: 18338691.

8. Romagnani P, Agarwal R, Chan JCN, Levin A, Kalyesubula R, Karam S, et al. Chronic kidney disease. Nat Rev Dis Prim. 2025 Jan;11(1):8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-024-00589-9

9. Gondal M. Overview of, and Preparations for, Dialysis. Med Clin North Am. 2023 Jul;107(4):681–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2023.03.003

10. Chen TK, Knicely DH, Grams ME. Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis and Management: A Review. JAMA. 2019 Oct;322(13):1294–304. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.14745

11. Haddiya I. Current Knowledge of Vaccinations in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. 2020;13:179–85. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJNRD.S231142

12. Guidelines for vaccination in patients with chronic kidney disease. Vol. 26, Indian Journal of Nephrology. 2016. p. S15-8. PMCID: PMC4928524.

13. Mishra J, Samant SA. Seroprevalence of rubella in female healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital. Int J Res Med Sci [Internet]. 2024 Nov 30;12(12 SE-Original Research Articles):4580–4. Available from: https://www.msjonline.org/index.php/ijrms/article/view/14265

14. Fu R, He P, Hong W, Liang Y, Wang W, Yuan S, et al. Male sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):9207. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59844-4

15. Poudyal A, Karki KB, Shrestha N, Aryal KK, Mahato NK, Bista B, et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in Nepal: evidence from a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2022;12(3):e057509. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057509

16. O’Hare AM, Choi AI, Bertenthal D, Bacchetti P, Garg AX, Kaufman JS, et al. Age affects outcomes in chronic kidney disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Oct;18(10):2758–65. DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2007040422

17. Liu P, Quinn RR, Lam NN, Al-Wahsh H, Sood MM, Tangri N, et al. Progression and Regression of Chronic Kidney Disease by Age Among Adults in a Population-Based Cohort in Alberta, Canada. JAMA Netw open. 2021 Jun;4(6):e2112828. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.12828

18. Mallappallil M, Friedman EA, Delano BG, McFarlane SI, Salifu MO. Chronic kidney disease in the elderly: evaluation and management. Clin Pract (Lond). 2014;11(5):525–35. PMCID: PMC4291282.

19. Kampmann JD, Heaf JG, Mogensen CB, Mickley H, Wolff DL, Brandt F. Prevalence and incidence of chronic kidney disease stage 3-5 – results from KidDiCo. BMC Nephrol. 2023 Jan;24(1):17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-023-03056-x

20. Ismael I, Khalaf A, Ali D, Al Saedi A. Current status of hemodialysis in Iraq. Iraqi Natl J Med. 2025;7(1):122–33. https://doi.org/10.37319/iqnjm.7.1.18

21. Al-khafaji N, Al-khafaji BY, Al-Omar DK. Assessment the Effects of Heavy Elements on Some Hematological Parameter in CKD Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Thi-Qar Province/Iraq. Univ Thi-Qar J Sci. 2024;11(2):54–8. https://doi.org/10.32792/utq/utjsci/v11i2.1192

22. Salman NA, Al-Kaaby HH. Factors Affecting Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Misan Province, Iraq. Al-Kunooze Sci J. 2023;6(1):48–59. http://doi.org/10.36582/j.Alkuno.2023.06.05

23. Sabri NW, Rashid BA, Shwiehk RS, Mahdy AH. Assessment of risk factors of chronic kidney disease among patients attending Medical City Complex. J Tech. 2023;5(2):147–54. https://doi.org/10.51173/jt.v5i2.885

24. Meyyan A, Tyagi V, Dabas A, Mantan M, Manchanda V. Serosurvey For Measles, Mumps and Rubella in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Kidney Disease. Indian Pediatr. 2025 Jan;62(1):49–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-025-3357-7

25. Olajide OM, Aminu M, Randawa AJ, Adejo DS. Seroprevalence of rubella-specific IgM and IgG antibodies among pregnant women seen in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:75–83. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S68667

26. Bagenda F, Mulogo EM, Apecu RO, Kisakye A, Opar BT. Rubella IgM epidemiology in the pre-rubella vaccination era in Uganda. BMC Infect Dis [Internet]. 2020;20(1):219. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-4928-9

27. Sasaki H, Fukunaga T, Asano A, Tsumita M, Suzuki Y, Shibata N. Persistence of Anti-Rubella Immunoglobulin G Antibody Titers in Young Adults Involved in a Short-Term Periodic Immunization in Japan. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2021 Sep;74(5):473–6. https://doi.org/10.7883/yoken.JJID.2020.542

28. Zhang T, Mauracher CA, Mitchell LA, Tingle AJ. Detection of rubella virus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA antibodies by immunoblot assays. J Clin Microbiol. 1992 Apr;30(4):824–30. https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.30.4.824-830.1992

29. Başbulut E, Bilgin M, Işler H, Şen A, Kılıç SS, Çubukçu M. Analysis of Measles and Rubella Immunoglobulin G Titers in COVID-19 Patients. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2024;17:2789–801. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S472872


Review

For citations:


Lazim H.H. Seroprevalence of Rubella Virus in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients. Epidemiology and Vaccinal Prevention. 2026;25(1):33-37. https://doi.org/10.31631/2073-3046-2026-25-1-33-37

Views: 279

JATS XML


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 2073-3046 (Print)
ISSN 2619-0494 (Online)