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Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Sep 2020Viral anterior uveitis (VAU) needs to be suspected in anterior uveitis (AU) associated with elevated intraocular pressure, corneal involvement, and iris atrophic... (Review)
Review
Viral anterior uveitis (VAU) needs to be suspected in anterior uveitis (AU) associated with elevated intraocular pressure, corneal involvement, and iris atrophic changes. Common etiologies of VAU include herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus. Clinical presentations can vary from granulomatous AU with corneal involvement, Posner-Schlossman syndrome, Fuchs uveitis syndrome, and endothelitis. Due to overlapping clinical manifestations between the different viruses, diagnostic tests like polymerase chain reaction and Goldmann-Witmer coefficient analysis on the aqueous humor may help in identifying etiology to plan and monitor treatment.
Topics: Aqueous Humor; Cytomegalovirus; DNA, Viral; Eye Infections, Viral; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Rubella virus; Uveitis; Uveitis, Anterior
PubMed: 32823392
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_928_20 -
ELife Jun 2023The rubella virus can interfere with fetal brain development by infecting immune cells called microglia during pregnancy.
The rubella virus can interfere with fetal brain development by infecting immune cells called microglia during pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Rubella virus; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Rubella; Fetus; Brain
PubMed: 37327049
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.89265 -
ELife Jul 2023Rubella virus is an important human pathogen that can cause neurological deficits in a developing fetus when contracted during pregnancy. Despite successful vaccination...
Rubella virus is an important human pathogen that can cause neurological deficits in a developing fetus when contracted during pregnancy. Despite successful vaccination programs in the Americas and many developed countries, rubella remains endemic in many regions worldwide and outbreaks occur wherever population immunity is insufficient. Intense interest since rubella virus was first isolated in 1962 has advanced our understanding of clinical outcomes after infection disrupts key processes of fetal neurodevelopment. Yet it is still largely unknown which cell types in the developing brain are targeted. We show that in human brain slices, rubella virus predominantly infects microglia. This infection occurs in a heterogeneous population but not in a highly microglia-enriched monoculture in the absence of other cell types. By using an organoid-microglia model, we further demonstrate that rubella virus infection leads to a profound interferon response in non-microglial cells, including neurons and neural progenitor cells, and this response is attenuated by the presence of microglia.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Rubella virus; Microglia; Rubella; Neural Stem Cells; Organoids
PubMed: 37470786
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.87696 -
Journal of Medical Virology Nov 2018Rubella is a contagious disease caused by the rubella virus (RuV) that can lead to serious birth defects when women are infected in early pregnancy. This study aimed to...
Rubella is a contagious disease caused by the rubella virus (RuV) that can lead to serious birth defects when women are infected in early pregnancy. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and genetic diversity of rubella viruses in Cote d'Ivoire (CIV). Blood or oral fluid samples collected from suspected measles cases were first tested for the presence of measles specific IgM antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All measles IgM negative or indeterminate samples were tested for rubella IgM antibody using ELISA. Rubella-IgM-positive samples were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of rubella virus RNA. Real-time RT-PCR-positive RNA samples were used as template to amplify the 739 nt region used for rubella genotyping. PCR-positive samples were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis performed. Between 2012 and 2016, 4121 serums and 126 oral fluids were collected through the measles surveillance system. Of these, 3823 and 108 respectively were measles IgM negative or indeterminate. Subsequent testing for rubella found that 690 of 3823 (18%) serum samples and 25 of 108 (23%) oral fluid samples were rubella IgM-positive. The 739 nt segment of the E1 glycoprotein gene was amplified and sequenced for two serums and seven oral fluids samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the rubella viruses from CIV belonged to genotypes 1G (eight samples) and 2B (one sample). Rubella virus genotype 2B was found in CIV for the first time. These data contribute to baseline information on rubella virus strains found in CIV before the introduction of rubella vaccine.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Viral; Blood; Child; Child, Preschool; Cote d'Ivoire; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Genotype; Genotyping Techniques; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa; Phylogeny; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rubella; Rubella virus; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Young Adult
PubMed: 29984523
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25252 -
Viruses May 2022We recently published an article about myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-independent rubella infection of keratinocytes in vitro, in which first-trimester trophoblast...
We recently published an article about myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-independent rubella infection of keratinocytes in vitro, in which first-trimester trophoblast cells were shown as rubella virus (RuV)-resistant. Given an incident rate as high as 90% of congenital rubella syndrome in the first eight weeks of pregnancy, the RuV infection of first-trimester trophoblasts is considered key to opening the gate to transplacental transmission mechanisms. Therefore, with this study, we aimed to verify the susceptibility/resistance of first-trimester trophoblast cell lines, HTR-8/SVneo and Swan.71, against RuV. Cells cultured on multi-well plates were challenged with a RuV clinical strain at a multiplicity of infection from 5 to 10 for 3 h. The infectivity was investigated by immunofluorescence (IF) assay and flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. Supernatants collected during the post-infection period were used to determine virus-progeny production. The scattered signaling of RuV infection of these cells was noted by IF assay, and the FCM analysis showed an average of 4-5% of gated cells infected with RuV. In addition, a small but significant production of virus progeny was also observed. In conclusion, by employing appropriate approaches, we determined the low infectivity of RuV in first-trimester trophoblast cell lines but not resistance as in our previous report.
Topics: Cell Line; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Rubella; Rubella virus; Trophoblasts
PubMed: 35746641
DOI: 10.3390/v14061169 -
Journal of Virological Methods Aug 2022An examination of the nucleic acid sequence alignment of 48 full-length rubella virus genomes revealed that the 5' terminus of the genome is more conserved than the...
An examination of the nucleic acid sequence alignment of 48 full-length rubella virus genomes revealed that the 5' terminus of the genome is more conserved than the commonly used detection windows for rubella virus RNA located in the E1 protein coding region, suggesting that the 5' terminus could be a target for improving detection of all rubella virus genotypes. Two candidate primer sets were tested and the window between nucleotides (nts) 98 and 251 was found to have the greatest analytical sensitivity for detection of different genotypes. The new method had a limit of detection of four copies of rubella RNA per reaction with high specificity. The average coefficient variation of Ct was 2.2%. Concordance between the new method and currently used method, based on testing 251 clinical specimens collected from a rubella outbreak, was 99.4%. The assay was further improved upon by the incorporation of detection of both rubella virus RNA and mRNA from a cellular reference gene in a multiplex format. The multiplex format did not reduce the sensitivity or the reproducibility of rubella RNA detection and, of 60 specimens tested, the concordance between the single target and multiplex assays was 85.0%. To assess the utility of the multiplex assay for molecular surveillance, 62 rubella IgM positive serum samples from a rubella outbreak were tested, and eleven tested positive using the multiplex method while none were positive using the method targeting E1. These results show that the assay based on the new detection window near the 5' terminus of the genome can improve the detection of rubella virus for the purpose of molecular surveillance and case confirmation, with the added benefit of improved efficiency due to multiplexing.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Viral; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results; Rubella; Rubella virus; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 35654258
DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2022.114555 -
Nature Oct 2020Since 1814, when rubella was first described, the origins of the disease and its causative agent, rubella virus (Matonaviridae: Rubivirus), have remained unclear. Here...
Since 1814, when rubella was first described, the origins of the disease and its causative agent, rubella virus (Matonaviridae: Rubivirus), have remained unclear. Here we describe ruhugu virus and rustrela virus in Africa and Europe, respectively, which are, to our knowledge, the first known relatives of rubella virus. Ruhugu virus, which is the closest relative of rubella virus, was found in apparently healthy cyclops leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideros cyclops) in Uganda. Rustrela virus, which is an outgroup to the clade that comprises rubella and ruhugu viruses, was found in acutely encephalitic placental and marsupial animals at a zoo in Germany and in wild yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis) at and near the zoo. Ruhugu and rustrela viruses share an identical genomic architecture with rubella virus. The amino acid sequences of four putative B cell epitopes in the fusion (E1) protein of the rubella, ruhugu and rustrela viruses and two putative T cell epitopes in the capsid protein of the rubella and ruhugu viruses are moderately to highly conserved. Modelling of E1 homotrimers in the post-fusion state predicts that ruhugu and rubella viruses have a similar capacity for fusion with the host-cell membrane. Together, these findings show that some members of the family Matonaviridae can cross substantial barriers between host species and that rubella virus probably has a zoonotic origin. Our findings raise concerns about future zoonotic transmission of rubella-like viruses, but will facilitate comparative studies and animal models of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Animals, Zoo; Cell Membrane; Chiroptera; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Equidae; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Geographic Mapping; Germany; Host Specificity; Humans; Male; Mammals; Marsupialia; Membrane Fusion; Mice; Models, Animal; Models, Molecular; Phylogeny; Rubella; Rubella virus; Sequence Alignment; Uganda; Viral Envelope Proteins
PubMed: 33029010
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2812-9 -
BMC Research Notes Sep 2023There are 13 globally recognized rubella virus genotypes of which only 2 (1E and 2B) have been detected recently. The largest percentage of all reported rubella virus...
There are 13 globally recognized rubella virus genotypes of which only 2 (1E and 2B) have been detected recently. The largest percentage of all reported rubella virus sequences come from China and Japan with Africa reporting limited data. In a bid to address the lack of rubella genotype data in Uganda and the World Health Organization Africa region, we sought to characterize rubella viruses retrospectively using sera collected from suspected measles patients that turned out rubella IgM positive.Seven sequences belonging to genotype 2B sub-lineage 2B-L2c were obtained. These sequences clustered with other genotype 2B sequences previously reported from Uganda. None of the other genotypes (1E and 1G) reported from Uganda in the earlier years were detected. In addition, none of the sequences were obtained after the introduction of the measles-rubella containing vaccine. The above highlight the need for continuous rubella virological surveillance to confirm interruption of endemic rubella genotype circulation.
Topics: Humans; Rubella virus; Uganda; Retrospective Studies; Rubella; Genotype; Measles; Measles Vaccine
PubMed: 37710238
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06499-5 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Jan 2016Rubella virus usually causes a mild infection in humans but can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Vaccination programs have significantly decreased primary... (Review)
Review
Rubella virus usually causes a mild infection in humans but can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Vaccination programs have significantly decreased primary rubella virus infection and CRS; however, vaccinated individuals usually have lower levels of rubella virus IgG than those with natural infections. Rubella virus IgG is quantified with enzyme immunoassays that have been calibrated against the World Health Organization (WHO) international standard and report results in international units per milliliter. It is recognized that the results reported by these assays are not standardized. This investigation into the reasons for the lack of standardization found that the current WHO international standard (RUB-1-94) fails by three key metrological principles. The standard is not a pure analyte but is composed of pooled human immunoglobulin. It was not calibrated by certified reference methods; rather, superseded tests were used. Finally, no measurement uncertainty estimations have been provided. There is an analytical and clinical consequence to the lack of standardization of rubella virus IgG assays, which leads to misinterpretation of results. The current approach to standardization of rubella virus IgG assays has not achieved the desired results. A new approach is required.
Topics: Antibodies, Viral; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Rubella virus
PubMed: 26607813
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00045-15 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 2000Rubella virus (RV) is the causative agent of the disease known more popularly as German measles. Rubella is predominantly a childhood disease and is endemic throughout... (Review)
Review
Rubella virus (RV) is the causative agent of the disease known more popularly as German measles. Rubella is predominantly a childhood disease and is endemic throughout the world. Natural infections of rubella occur only in humans and are generally mild. Complications of rubella infection, most commonly polyarthralgia in adult women, do exist; occasionally more serious sequelae occur. However, the primary public health concern of RV infection is its teratogenicity. RV infection of women during the first trimester of pregnancy can induce a spectrum of congenital defects in the newborn, known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The development of vaccines and implementation of vaccination strategies have substantially reduced the incidence of disease and in turn of CRS in developed countries. The pathway whereby RV infection leads to teratogenesis has not been elucidated, but the cytopathology in infected fetal tissues suggests necrosis and/or apoptosis as well as inhibition of cell division of critical precursor cells involved in organogenesis. In cell culture, a number of unusual features of RV replication have been observed, including mitochondrial abnormalities, and disruption of the cytoskeleton; these manifestations are most probably linked and play some role in RV teratogenesis. Further understanding of the mechanism of RV teratogenesis will be brought about by the investigation of RV replication and virus-host interactions.
Topics: Adult; Apoptosis; Cell Division; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Rubella; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital; Rubella virus; Viral Proteins; Virus Replication
PubMed: 11023958
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.13.4.571