Prevention of Rubella by Gamma Globulin during an Epidemic in Barrow, Alaska, in 1964

DEPRESSION of the clinical symptoms of rubella by gamma globulin has been reported.1 2 3 Concern exists, however, since these results have not been consistent.1 , 4 , 5 Large doses of gamma globulin do not prevent infections of chicken pox,6 and possibly not hepatitis,7 although clinical symptoms may be depressed or delayed. Since rubella infection, with or without clinical symptoms, is a potential hazard to the developing fetus the recommended preventive dose of gamma globulin has steadily risen until recently it has become the practice to use 20 ml. for pregnant patients.5 With the advent of laboratory diagnostic procedures for isolation of rubella virus and . . .