Rubella serosurvey of pregnant women in Albania: high seroprevalence and implications for prevention

Abstract

Rubella virus (RV) represents a notable pathogen on a global scale, leading to a relatively harmless illness referred to as rubella. In Albania, rubella has been recognized as an endemic disease since the early years, largely due to inadequate vaccination efforts and the virus's ability to spread rapidly through different interactions. Pregnant women who were not immunized against the rubella virus faced dire consequences, often leading to severe outcomes for their infants, including various congenital conditions such as Congenital Rubella Syndrome. The objective of this research is to conduct a serological surveillance of rubella in Albania between December 2023 and May 2024, examining IgG levels in serum samples and evaluating the overall immunological profile related to rubella infections. The study was conducted at the Institute of Public Health, Tirana where a total of 750 pregnant women from different cities were analyzed. Antirubella IgG antibodies were found in 716 pregnant women examined. The findings indicate that the prevalence of seropositivity reaches 95.46% in instances where antibody levels are at 10 UI/ml, whereas the rate of sero-negativity for IgG is recorded at 4.53% under the same antibody concentration. Updating vaccination initiatives is crucial to ensure that campaigns fulfill their designated aims. Special attention should be given to seronegative pregnant women, who require tailored preventive measures and thorough health education concerning rubella transmission and the sequelae associated with congenital rubella syndrome. Given the public health significance of Rubella, it is imperative that our nation's public health institutions thoroughly evaluate and determine the necessity of ongoing surveillance within the Albanian population, as well as enhance vaccination initiatives and immunization programs.