Virologic Assistance in the Management of German Measles in Pregnancy

Abstract

During the current epidemic of rubella, it has been possible to make use of the newly discovered methods for isolation of the virus and for the serologic diagnosis of rubella in testing of specimens from pregnant women who had suffered rubella-like illness or who had been exposed to the disease. Nasopharyngeal swabs obtained during the first week after onset of the rash and especially during the first few days were often positive. Serologic diagnosis was quite feasible using acute and convalescent specimens and on occasion it was still possible to show a rising titer when the first serum had been obtained two weeks after the rash.