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Virology Journal Feb 2022Rubella virus (RV) is the causative agent of rubella or German measles. Although most infections cause only mild self-limited measles-like illness, the infection in...
BACKGROUND
Rubella virus (RV) is the causative agent of rubella or German measles. Although most infections cause only mild self-limited measles-like illness, the infection in pregnant women can cause severe foetal malformation or even miscarriage, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to establish a simple and sensitive RV detection method.
METHODS
The partial epitopes of the E1 and E2 proteins from Rubella Virus were selected as the target sites, the sequence of the selected antigenic sites of the E1 and E2 were linked by a linker. The expression plasmid P6T was constructed by inserting the gene into PET-32A + with a histidine Tag. The P6 protein was induced and expressed in Escherichia coli L21 (DE3) and purified by nickel column affinity. The protein P6 antigen was identified by Western blotting analysis, and an anti-P6 antibody ELISA was established to test known serum samples to evaluate the capability of this method.
RESULTS
After purification, the concentration and purity of the protein P6 were 0.283 mg/mL and more than 80%, respectively. Western blotting analysis showed that the protein P6 could react with rubella virus positive serum. By ELISA, 36 negative sera and 58 positive sera were detected. The coincidence rate, specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA were 86.2%, 88.89% and 84.48%, respectively. The P6 ELISA with a kappa coefficient of 0.715, P < 0.05, indicated excellent consistency.
CONCLUSIONS
The protein P6 with excellent antigenicity obtained from prokaryotic expression followed by chromatography purification could prove useful for early diagnosis of RV infection.
Topics: Antibodies, Viral; Blotting, Western; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Pregnancy; Rubella; Rubella virus
PubMed: 35197095
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01760-y -
International Journal of Infectious... Oct 2021Rubella cases in the Central African Republic (CAF) are currently identified during measles surveillance. This study aimed to investigate rubella epidemiology between...
OBJECTIVES
Rubella cases in the Central African Republic (CAF) are currently identified during measles surveillance. This study aimed to investigate rubella epidemiology between 2015 and 2016 and to provide baseline genotype data for monitoring future rubella control efforts.
METHODS
831 measles IgM negative or equivocal sera from 2015/2016 were tested for rubella IgM antibodies and 350 rubella IgM positive sera collected between 2008 and 2016 were selected for PCR and sequencing.
RESULTS
411 of the 831 sera (49.5%) were rubella IgM positive and most cases (n=391, 95.1%) occurred between January and April. Most patients were between 5 and 9 years old (50.2%) and more than half of the rubella cases (56.7%) originated from the capital Bangui. Genotype information was obtained for 37 of the 350 selected rubella IgM-positive specimens, with the majority of the patients originating from Bangui (n=24, 64.9%) and sequences covering all years except 2009. Phylogenetic analysis identified genotypes 1E (n=12), 1G (n=5) and 2B (n=20), with 2B being detected from 2014 onwards.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirmed the important role of rubella as a rash and fever disease in CAF and provided comprehensive data on rubella epidemiology and the first information on rubella genotypes in the country.
Topics: Central African Republic; Child; Child, Preschool; Genotype; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Measles; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny; Rubella; Rubella virus
PubMed: 34450282
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.08.050 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Aug 2017The WHO European Region (EUR) has adopted the goal of eliminating measles and rubella but individual countries perform differently in achieving this goal. Measles virus... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The WHO European Region (EUR) has adopted the goal of eliminating measles and rubella but individual countries perform differently in achieving this goal. Measles virus spread across the EUR by mobile groups has recently led to large outbreaks in the insufficiently vaccinated resident population. As an instrument for monitoring the elimination process and verifying the interruption of endemic virus transmission, molecular surveillance has to provide valid and representative data. Irrespective of the country's specific situation, it is required to ensure the functionality of the laboratory surveillance that is supported by the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network.
AIMS
To investigate whether the molecular surveillance in the EUR is adequate for the challenges in the elimination phase, we addressed the quality assurance of molecular data, the continuity and intensity of molecular monitoring, and the analysis of transmission chains.
SOURCES
Published articles, the molecular External Quality Assessment Programme of the WHO, the Centralized Information System for Infectious Diseases of the WHO EUR and the WHO Measles and Rubella Nucleotide Surveillance databases served as information sources.
CONTENT
Molecular proficiency testing conducted by the WHO in 2016 has shown that the expertise for measles and rubella virus genotyping exists in all parts of the EUR. The analysis of surveillance data reported nationally to the WHO in 2013-2016 has revealed some countries with outbreaks but not sufficiently representative molecular data. Long-lasting supranational MV transmission chains were identified.
IMPLICATIONS
A more systematic molecular monitoring and recording of the transmission pattern for the whole EUR could help to create a meaningful picture of the elimination process.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Epidemiological Monitoring; Europe; Genotyping Techniques; Humans; Laboratory Proficiency Testing; Measles; Measles virus; Molecular Epidemiology; Rubella; Rubella virus; World Health Organization
PubMed: 28712666
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.06.030 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Aug 2022Background and Objectives: A cross-sectional single-center study was conducted to investigate the etiology in hypertensive anterior uveitis whose clinical features are...
Background and Objectives: A cross-sectional single-center study was conducted to investigate the etiology in hypertensive anterior uveitis whose clinical features are not fully distinctive from cytomegalovirus or from rubella virus and to demonstrate the possible coexistence of both these viruses in causing anterior uveitis. Materials and Methods: The clinical charts of a cohort of patients with hypertensive viral anterior uveitis of uncertain origin consecutively seen in a single center from 2019 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed; data on the clinical features, aqueous polymerase chain reaction, and antibody response to cytomegalovirus and rubella virus were collected. Results: Forty-three eyes of as many subjects with viral anterior uveitis of uncertain origin were included. Thirty-two patients had an aqueous polymerase chain reaction or antibody index positive to cytomegalovirus only, while 11 cases had an aqueous antibody response to both cytomegalovirus and rubella virus. This latter overlapping group had a statistically significant higher rate of hypochromia and anterior vitritis (p-value: 0.02 and < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The simultaneous presence of intraocular antibodies against cytomegalovirus and rubella virus could redefine the differential diagnosis of hypertensive viral anterior uveitis, demonstrating a possible “converged” immune pathway consisting in a variety of stimuli.
Topics: Aqueous Humor; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cytomegalovirus; DNA, Viral; Eye Infections, Viral; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Rubella virus; Uveitis, Anterior
PubMed: 36013521
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58081054 -
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 -
BMC Ophthalmology Nov 2023Uveitis is a process of intraocular inflammation that may involve different sections of the uveal tract. Apart from systemic or localized immune-mediated diseases,...
Uveitis is a process of intraocular inflammation that may involve different sections of the uveal tract. Apart from systemic or localized immune-mediated diseases, infections are key players in the etiology of uveitis and entail different treatment strategies. Rubella virus (RuV) is a recognized causative agent for the development of Fuchs uveitis, representing a major cause of virus-associated intraocular inflammation. A cohort of 159 patients diagnosed with different forms of uveitis between 2013 and 2019 was subjected to diagnostic antibody testing of the aqueous or vitreous humor. The diagnostic panel included RuV, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and toxoplasmosis. Within this cohort, 38 RuV-associated uveitis (RAU) patients were identified based on a pathologic Goldman-Witmer coefficient indicative of an underlying RuV infection. With a mean age of 45.9 years, the RAU patients were younger than the non-RAU patients (56.3, p < 0.001). The evaluation of clinical parameters revealed a predominance of anterior uveitis and late sequalae such as cataract and glaucoma among the RAU patients. In 15 of the patients a history of prior RuV infections could be confirmed. The study underlines the importance of long-term surveillance of RuV associated diseases that originate from infections before the introduction of RuV vaccination programs.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Rubella virus; Tertiary Care Centers; Eye Infections, Viral; Aqueous Humor; Rubella; Uveitis; Uveitis, Anterior; Inflammation; Uveal Diseases
PubMed: 37932668
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03182-y -
PloS One 2019Rubella infection in early pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, fetal death, or birth of an infant with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). In Cameroon, like in many...
Rubella infection in early pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, fetal death, or birth of an infant with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). In Cameroon, like in many developing countries, rubella surveillance is not well-established. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rubella virus specific antibodies among pregnant Cameroonians. We conducted a cross-sectional study for rubella infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Center and South-West regions of Cameroon. Demographic data and blood were collected and tested for rubella specific antibodies (IgG and IgM), and for the IgM positive cases, IgG avidity and real time PCR was done. From December 2015 to July 2017, 522 serum samples were collected and tested from pregnant women. The seroprevalence of rubella specific IgG was 94.4%, presumably due to immunity induced by wild-type rubella virus. The seroprevalence of rubella specific IgM was 5.0%, possibly indicating rubella infection. However, IgG avidity testing of the IgM positive cases detected high avidity IgGs, ranging from 52.37% to 87.70%, indicating past rubella infection. 5.6% (29/522) of the participants had negative results for IgG to rubella virus, indicating susceptibility to rubella infection. None of the participants had received a rubella containing vaccine (RCV), but 51% (266/522) of the pregnant women lived in a house with a child with records of at least one dose of RCV. Rubella virus RNA was not detected in the urine of any IgM positive case. Findings from this study show that rubella infection is significant in Cameroon. Some pregnant women are still susceptible to rubella infection. For a better management of rubella infection in pregnancy in Cameroon, consideration should be taken to investigate for IgG-avidity test in cases with positive rubella IgM result to distinguish between recent from past rubella infection.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Viral; Cameroon; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; RNA, Viral; Rubella; Rubella virus; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 31751431
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225594 -
JAMA Dermatology Jun 2022
Topics: Adult; Granuloma; Humans; Rubella; Rubella virus
PubMed: 35338703
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0055 -
Progress Toward Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Control - South-East Asia Region, 2000-2016.MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Jun 2018In 2013, the 66th session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR)* adopted the goal of elimination of measles and...
In 2013, the 66th session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR)* adopted the goal of elimination of measles and control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020 (1). Rubella is the leading vaccine-preventable cause of birth defects. Although rubella typically causes a mild fever and rash in children and adults, rubella virus infection during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, can result in miscarriage, fetal death, or a constellation of congenital malformations known as CRS, commonly including visual, auditory, and/or cardiac defects, and developmental delay (2). Rubella and CRS control capitalizes on the momentum created by pursuing measles elimination because the efforts are programmatically linked. Rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) is administered as a combined measles and rubella vaccine, and rubella cases are detected through case-based surveillance for measles or fever and rash illness (3). This report summarizes progress toward rubella and CRS control in SEAR during 2000-2016. Estimated coverage with a first RCV dose (RCV1) increased from 3% of the birth cohort in 2000 to 15% in 2016 because of RCV introduction in six countries. RCV1 coverage is expected to increase rapidly with the phased introduction of RCV in India and Indonesia beginning in 2017; these countries are home to 83% of the SEAR birth cohort. During 2000-2016, approximately 83 million persons were vaccinated through 13 supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) conducted in eight countries. During 2010-2016, reported rubella incidence decreased by 37%, from 8.6 to 5.4 cases per 1 million population, and four countries (Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) reported a decrease in incidence of ≥95% since 2010. To achieve rubella and CRS control in SEAR, sustained investment to increase routine RCV coverage, periodic high-quality SIAs to close immunity gaps, and strengthened rubella and CRS surveillance are needed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Asia, Southeastern; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Genotype; Humans; Immunization Schedule; Incidence; Infant; Male; Population Surveillance; Rubella; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital; Rubella Vaccine; Rubella virus; Vaccination Coverage; Young Adult
PubMed: 29851943
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6721a3 -
JAMA Dermatology Jun 2022Vaccine-derived and wild-type rubella virus (RuV) has been identified within granulomas in patients with inborn errors of immunity, but has not been described in...
IMPORTANCE
Vaccine-derived and wild-type rubella virus (RuV) has been identified within granulomas in patients with inborn errors of immunity, but has not been described in granulomas of healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between RuV and atypical granulomatous inflammation in immune-competent adults.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This case series, conducted in US academic dermatology clinics from January 2019 to January 2021, investigated the presence of RuV in skin specimens using RuV immunofluorescent staining of paraffin-embedded tissue sections, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, whole-genome sequencing with phylogenetic analyses, and cell culture by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rubella immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunoassay, and viral neutralization assays were performed for the sera of immunocompetent individuals with treatment refractory cutaneous granulomas and histopathology demonstrating atypical palisaded and necrotizing granulomas. Clinical immune evaluation was performed.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Identification, genotyping, and culture of vaccine-derived and wild-type RuV within granulomatous dermatitis of otherwise clinically immune competent adults.
RESULTS
Of the 4 total immunocompetent participants, 3 (75%) were women, and the mean (range) age was 61.5 (49.0-73.0) years. The RuV capsid protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in cutaneous granulomas. The presence of RuV RNA was confirmed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in fresh-frozen skin biopsies and whole-genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the RuV sequences showed vaccine-derived RuV in 3 cases and wild-type RuV in 1. Live RuV was recovered from the affected skin in 2 participants. Immunology workup results demonstrated no primary immune deficiencies.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The case series study results suggest that RuV (vaccine derived and wild type) can persist for years in cutaneous granulomas in clinically immunocompetent adults and is associated with atypical (palisaded and necrotizing type) chronic cutaneous granulomas. These findings represent a potential paradigm shift in the evaluation, workup, and management of atypical granulomatous dermatitis and raises questions regarding the potential transmissibility of persistent live RuV.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Connective Tissue Diseases; Dermatitis; Female; Granuloma; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Middle Aged; Phylogeny; Rubella; Rubella virus; United States
PubMed: 35338705
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0828