Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of rubella and
syphilis in pregnant women in Khartoum during the period from January to April
2010. Blood samples from one hundred pregnant women (n= 100) in varied stages of
pregnancy attending different hospitals (Khartoum, Omdurman and El Amal) were
collected for the purpose of diagnosis of rubella and syphilis. Screening for rubella
was performed on the blood samples by employing the Enzyme-linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for IgM and IgG antibodies, and for syphilis by
using the two serological techniques, namely, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and
immuneochromatographic test (ICT), according to the principle of antigen-antibody
reaction. The results obtained were processed and statistically analyzed by SPSS.
The IgM antibodies for rubella were detected in 18% pregnant women while the IgG
antibodies were detected in 90% pregnant women. However, the antibodies for
syphilis were detected among 9% pregnant women using RPR and no antibodies
were observed (0.0%) when the ICT was used as supplemental test. Out of the total
hundred pregnant women tested, 20% were in the first trimester, 14% in the second
trimester and 66% in the third trimester. According to the age incidence, pregnant
women of age 21-25 years revealed the highest percentage of rubella IgG (92%), 35-
40 years for rubella IgM (26%) and 26-30 years for syphilis antibodies (12%).
However, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed among the three
trimesters and the different age groups examined. When correlation coefficient test
was used to analyze the data obtained no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between
rubella and syphilis was observed
among the pregnant women. In conclusion,
routine serological screening tests should be adopted among pregnant women in
order to implement proper immunization and treatment against rubella and syphilis,
respectively.
