Prevalence of Rubella and Syphilis in Pregnant Women in Khartoum

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.