Genetic Characterization of Rubella Virus Strains Detected in Spain, 1998-2014

Abstract

The National Plan for the Elimination of Rubella was implemented in Spain in 2008 using the logistics of the National Plan for the Elimination of Measles that have been employed since year 2000. Molecular characterization of rubella virus (RUBV) is important for disease surveillance and for monitoring elimination of the disease throughout the world. We describe the first complete series of data regarding the circulation of RUBV genotypes in Spain. The 739-nucleotide fragment designated by the WHO for RUBV genotyping was sequenced in 88 selected cases collected from 1998 to 2014. Five genotypes were identified: 1E, 2B, 1J, 1I, and 1a. Genotype 1E was predominant between 1998 and 2003 but was replaced by genotype 2B, which was detected in sporadic cases in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014. There was an outbreak of genotype 2B in Algeciras (Andalusia) in 2008. Genotype 1J caused an outbreak in Madrid in 2004/2005 and sporadic cases in 2005 and 2007. Genotype 1I was found to have infected an immune-suppressed patient with neurological symptoms in 2008. Finally, vaccine strain RA 27/3 was detected in three sporadic cases, two of them immune-suppressed and without a recent history of vaccination. This suggests that during these years there were a series of imported sporadic cases and outbreaks, confirming the findings of epidemiological data analysis. The importation sources were generally consistent with our geographic and cultural ties, mainly with Europe (genotypes 1E, 2B, 1I) and Latin America (1J).

Antiviral Activity of Geopropolis Extract from Scaptotrigona Aff. Postica against Rubella Virus

“…Rubella virus is formed by the structural polypeptides, the membrane glycoproteins E1 and E2 and a single nonglycosylated RNA-associated capsid protein C (Lee & Bowden, 2000). In a recent research, five genotypes of RV, 1E, 2B, 1J, 1I, and 1a were identified (Martí nez-Torres et al, 2016). The vaccine is a live attenuated preparation of the virus (RA 27/3), which induces immunity by producing a modified rubella infection (Parkman, 1996).…”

Vaccine Rubella: A Rare Cause of Post-transplant Hematopoietic Death, but a Major Public Health Problem

“…In 1996, a second dose at 11 years was introduced. After 1999, this second dose was given to 4-year-old children, and so it is still in the current immunization schedule [ 6 ]. The high response rate to a single dose of rubella vaccine (≥95%) and the long-term persistence of protection in vaccines do not support a routine requirement for a second dose of rubella vaccine.…”

Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models: A Peephole into Virus Infections during Early Pregnancy

“…In 2018, strains belonging to only two genotypes (1E and 2B) were reported to the global Rubella Nucleotide Surveillance (RubeNS) database (www.who-rubella.org/files/wer8832.pdf), [58]. In many countries, genotype replacements were noted (e.g., [59][60][61]) and lately involve, most often, genotype 2B as the new dominant genotype. While the reasons for the observed dominance are unknown, the question has been raised whether 2B strains have higher transmission ability [62].…”