Congenital rubella syndrome and immunity status of immigrant women living in southern Italy: a cross-sectional, seroepidemiological investigation.

Objectives: A National Programme to eliminate Measles and Congenital Rubella was implemented in Italy in 2003. It aimed to achieve elimination by 2010 in line with the targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rubella antibodies in samples of immigrant women living in southern Italy.

Prevalence of serum anti-rubella virus antibodies among pregnant women in southern Italy.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anti-rubella virus antibodies and the level of knowledge about congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) among pregnant women living in southern Italy.

Methods: A seroepidemiologic study was conducted between July 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007. Five-hundred women resident in Messina were enrolled in the study; the participants were in the 4th to 39th week of pregnancy.