Molecular analysis of rubella virus epidemiology across three continents, North America, Europe, and Asia, 1961-1997.

Abstract

E1 gene nucleotide sequences of 63 rubella virus isolates from North America, Europe, and Asia isolated between 1961 and 1997 were compared phylogenetically. Two genotypes were evident: Genotype I contained 60 viruses from North America, Europe, and Japan, and genotype II contained 3 viruses from China and India. The genotype I isolates prior to 1970 grouped into a single diffuse clade, indicating intercontinental circulation, while most post-1975 viruses segregated into geographic clades from each continent, indicating evolution in response to vaccination programs. The E1 amino acid sequences differed by no more than 3%; thus, no major antigenic variation was apparent. Among 4 viruses from congenital rubella syndrome that occurred following reinfection, only one amino acid substitution occurred in several important epitopes, indicating that antigenic drift is not important in this phenomenon. However, 2 viruses isolated from chronic arthritis exhibited changes in these epitopes. Isolates of the RA 27/3 vaccine strain were readily identifiable by nucleotide sequence.

• Authors: T K Frey, E S Abernathy, T J Bosma, W G Starkey, K M Corbett, J M Best, S Katow, S C Weaver
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 178 Issue 3 Pg. 642-50 (Sep 1998) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9728531 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Viral Envelope Proteins
• E1 envelope protein, Rubella virus

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Asia (epidemiology)
• Europe (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Molecular Sequence Data
• North America (epidemiology)
• Phylogeny
• Rubella (epidemiology, virology)
• Rubella virus (classification, genetics, isolation & purification)
• Viral Envelope Proteins (genetics)