Vaccinated patients with highly active systemic lupus erythematosus seem to lose their immunity levels over time, a study in rubella-vaccinated adolescents suggests.

The study, “Risk factors associated with accelerated rubella-IgG antibody loss in previously vaccinated, treatment-naïve juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients: a prospective study,” was published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Patients with SLE are at risk for infections, including those that are preventable by vaccines, due to the alterations in their immune system and the immunosuppressive treatments they receive.

SLE particularly affects women of childbearing age. Rubella infection during pregnancy is associated with severe neonatal complications, including miscarriage, congenital rubella syndrome, and neonatal death. As a result, knowing the immune status against rubella in at-risk SLE patients is important.

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