The use of hemagglutination inhibition tests and complement fixation tests for evaluation of immunity states and diagnosis of recent rubella infections

Comparative HAI and CF study of German measles antibodies in 575 sera collected from subjects of different age gave positive HAI reactions in 87% of the cases and positive CF reactions in 55% of the cases. The greater sensitivity of HAI and the longer presence of these antibodies justifies the use of this test for investigating the state of immunity in German measles. The combined use of the two tests for the diagnosis of the disease is very useful especially when the first serum sample is collected some time after the onset when the increase in serum antibody titers can only be demonstrated by CF, as HAI antibodies reach a high titer soon after the onset.