Rubella embryopathy after previous maternal rubella vaccination

Abstract

This report concerns a boy with congenital rubella infection and features of the classical and expanded rubella syndrome who was born to a mother who had been successfully vaccinated with Cendehill vaccine seven years previously. The diagnosis of rubella embryopathy was confirmed by demonstrating rubella-specific serum IgM antibodies using four different methods, by the persistence of rubella HAI and IgG antibodies in serum taken between three and eight months of age and by the isolation of rubella virus from throat secretion, urine and blood mononuclear cells. The child died at eight-and-a-half months of age. This case is discussed in relation to the persistence of vaccine-induced immunity with particular respect to the protective quality of low levels of antibodies against intrauterine infection in the event of re-infection during pregnancy.