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Test Code RBPG / RBPG-M Rubella Antibodies, IgG, Serum

Important Note

This quantitative testing is not recommended for general vaccination screening and is only available for use by the University of New England at this time. Please refer to the qualitative screening equivalent, RUBEL, performed at NorDx for general vaccination status testing.

Reporting Name

Rubella Ab, IgG, S

Useful For

Determining immune status to the rubella virus

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Instructions: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reference Values

Vaccinated: Positive (≥1.0 AI)

Unvaccinated: Negative (≤0.7 AI)

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86762

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
RBPG Rubella Ab, IgG, S 5334-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
RBG Rubella Ab, IgG, S 40667-8
DEXG2 Rubella IgG Antibody Index 5334-8

Clinical Information

Rubella (German or 3-day measles) is a member of the Togavirus family, and humans remain the only natural host for this virus. Transmission is typically through inhalation of infectious aerosolized respiratory droplets, and the incubation period following exposure can range from 12 to 23 days.(1) Infection is generally mild, self-limited, and characterized by a maculopapular rash beginning on the face and spreading to the trunk and extremities, as well as fever, malaise, and lymphadenopathy.(2)

 

Primary in utero rubella infections can lead to severe sequelae for the fetus, particularly if infection occurs within the first 4 months of gestation. Congenital rubella syndrome is often associated with hearing loss and cardiovascular and ocular defects.(3)

 

The United States 2-dose measles, mumps, rubella vaccination program, which calls for vaccination of all children, leads to seroconversion in 95% of children following the first dose.(1) A total of 4 cases of rubella were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011 without any cases of congenital rubella syndrome.(4) Due to the success of the national vaccination program, rubella is no longer considered endemic in the United States (www.cdc.gov/rubella). However, immunity may wane with age as approximately 80% to 90% of adults will show serologic evidence of immunity to rubella.

Cautions

Immunoglobulin G-class antibodies to rubella virus may be present in serum specimens from individuals who have received blood products within the past several months but who have not been immunized or experienced past infection with this virus.

 

Serum samples drawn early during acute phase of infection may be negative for IgG-class antibodies to this virus.

 

The presence of anti-rubella-IgG antibodies does not exclude the possibility of a recent or ongoing infection. Testing for IgM-class antibodies to rubella should be performed at a state health laboratory or at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if the clinical presentation is suggestive of acute rubella infection.

Method Description

The BioPlex 2200 Rubella IgG assay uses multiplex flow immunoassay technology. Briefly, serum samples are mixed and incubated at 37° C with sample diluent and dyed beads coated with rubella antigen. After a wash cycle, anti-human IgG antibody conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE) is added to the mixture and incubated at 37° C. Excess conjugate is removed in another wash cycle and the beads are resuspended in wash buffer. The bead mixture then passes through a detector that identifies the bead based on dye fluorescence and determines the amount of antibody captured by the antigen based on the fluorescence of the attached PE. Raw data is calculated in relative fluorescence intensity.

 

Three additional dyed beads, an internal standard bead, a serum verification bead, and a reagent blank bead are present in each reaction mixture to verify detector response, the addition of serum to the reaction vessel and the absence of significant nonspecific binding in serum.(Package insert: BioPlex 2200 System MMRV IgG. Bio-Rad Laboratories; 02/2019)

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days
NorDx Test Catalog Note:

Analytic time for send out tests is the time it will take to perform testing once it has arrived at the performing reference lab. Please add 1 to 2 days from time of collection to allow for receipt at NorDx central lab and shipment of specimen, add another day if specimen is collected on the day before a weekend or holiday.

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject
Heat-inactivated specimen Reject

Method Name

Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.