[RT-PCR in the prenatal diagnosis of rubella. Report of 2 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To confirm the interest of the reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in prenatal diagnosis of rubella.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Maternal blood, amniotic fluid and foetal blood specimens collected at 21 to 24 weeks of amenorrhea from two pregnant women with serologically proven rubella infection were tested by RT-PCR and cell culture for detection of rubella virus. Rubella virus-specific IgM antibodies were also assayed in foetal blood.

RESULTS

In both cases, rubella virus was detected in foetal blood by RT-PCR and cell culture, whereas it was not detected in maternal blood. Rubella virus-specific IgM were also detected in foetal blood. In amniotic fluid specimens, rubella virus was detected by RT-PCR in one case and by cell culture in the other one. A termination of pregnancy was carried out in both cases.

COMMENTS: RT-PCR is a rapid test. It could be useful to confirm foetal infection and could represent a criterion for considering a pregnancy termination. However, this technique which is not yet standardized for detection of rubella virus, needs further validation by additional studies.