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Test Code LABRBIGG Rubella Antibodies, IgG, Serum

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC EPIC Test Code Soft LIS Ordering Mnemonic Mayo Test ID
RUBELLA AB IGG,SERUM LABRBIGG RBIGG RBPG

 

Reporting Name

Rubella Ab, IgG, S

Useful For

Determining immune status to the rubella virus

Method Name

Multiplex Flow Immunoassay (MFI)

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 Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reject Due To

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

Reference Values

Vaccinated: Positive (≥1.0 AI)

Unvaccinated: Negative (≤0.7 AI)

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

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

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.

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.

Interpretation

The reported antibody index (AI) value is for reference only. This is a qualitative test and the numeric value of the AI is not indicative of the amount of antibody present. AI values above the manufacturer recommended cutoff for this assay indicate that specific antibodies were detected, suggesting prior exposure or vaccination.

 

Positive: AI value of 1.0 or higher

-The presence of detectable IgG-class antibodies indicates immunity to the rubella virus through prior immunization or exposure. Individuals testing positive are considered immune to rubella infection.

 

Equivocal: AI value 0.8-0.9

Submit an additional sample for testing in 10 to 14 days to demonstrate IgG seroconversion if recently vaccinated or if otherwise clinically indicated.

 

Negative: AI value of 0.7 or lower

The absence of detectable IgG-class antibodies suggests the lack of a specific immune response to immunization or no prior exposure to the rubella virus.

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.

Supportive Data

To evaluate the accuracy of the BioPlex Rubella IgG multiplex flow immunoassay, 500 prospective serum samples were analyzed in a blinded fashion by the SeraQuest Rubella IgG EIA (Quest International and the BioPlex Rubella IgG assay. Samples with discordant results after initial testing were repeated by both assays during the same freeze/thaw cycle. Further discrepancies were evaluated by the Rubella IgG VIDAS enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFA; bioMerieux, Inc.). The results are summarized in the table below:

 

Table.

BioPlex Rubella IgG

SeraQuest Rubella IgG EIA

 

Positive

Negative

Equivocal

Positive

446

0

0

Negative

7

23

4

Equivocal

17

0

3

 

6/7 samples tested as equivocal by the VIDAS Rubella IgG ELFA.

Sensitivity: 94% (446/470); 95% CI: 92.5% to 96.6%

Specificity: 100% (23/23); 95% CI: 83.1% to 100%

Overall Percent Agreement: 94.4% (472/500); 95% CI: 92.0% to 96.1%

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

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Forms

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