Rubella Virus (2)

Rubella Virus

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Rubella Virus

Introduction

Rubella virus is the microorganism chosen for this assignment. Rubella virus is the most common vaccine-preventable cause of stillbirths (Woyessa et al., 2019). Only humans are susceptible to the respiratory tract infection that is caused by the rubella virus. The virus is spread via aerosols. Rubella virus infections are usually benign. However, when the infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, it causes a severe condition in infants known as Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). This condition is commonly characterized by cataracts, cardiac problems, and sensorineural hearing (Provost et al., 2020). This paper presents the profile of a Rubella virus microorganism. It is organized into several sections, with the first section describing the microorganism. The second section covers the virulence factors of the Rubella virus. The following section presents the individuals’ immunity that prevents them from the Rubella virus infection. Further, the infectious disease information of the Rubella virus, its epidemiology, prevention and treatment options, and the clinical relevance of this microorganism are presented.

Description of the Microorganism

Rubella virus (Rubivirus rubella) is a viral microorganism. It belongs to the family Togaviridae and genus Rubivirus (Mangala et al., 2013). Rubella virus is spherical in shape and measures about 40- to 80 nm. It also possesses spike-like hemagglutinin that contains surface projections. The virus has a single-stranded positive-sense RNA (+ssRNA) genome, which comprises 9757 nucleotides. Also, the virus encodes 3 structural proteins, including Capsid Protein (CP) and glycoprotein (E1 and E2, which are embedded in the membrane’s external layer (Mangala et al., 2013). The E1 protein is the immunodominant antigen and contributes in receptor-mediated endocytosis. The E2 protein is bound by a membrane and forms connections between rows of E1 proteins. Rubella virus also encodes two non-structural proteins (p150 and p90). Also, the Rubella virus is sensitive to extreme pH (pH <6.8 or >8.1), temperatures >56°C, and ultraviolet light (Leonor & Mendez, 2022). The fluorescent microscope is used to view the Rubella virus. Usually, this microspore uses blue light to view the organism.

Virulence Factors

Virulence factors refer to the regulatory systems, cellular structures, and molecules that allow a microbial pathogen to enter and exit the host, colonize the host, avoid the immune system of the host, impede the immune response of the host, and obtain nutrients from the host (Sharma et al., 2017).The virulence factor of the Rubella virus is the Capsid Protein (CP). It aids the virus in multiplying in host cells and in avoiding the immune response of the host (Edlich et al., 2005). CP envelopes the Rubella virus allowing it to enter the host unnoticed. Since the Rubella virus is small in size, it can only encode a small number of proteins. As such, the CP is forced to serve different roles, including serving as a replication complex and non-structural or structural protein (Edlich et al., 2005).

Immunity

An alarmingly low immunoglobulin M (IgM) reactivity peak is followed by brief peaks of low-avidity IgG and IgA reactivity in the immune response created during primary rubella virus infection. IgG1 is the most typical reaction, and it gradually gains intensity and affinity throughout the infection (Alhammad & Fehr, 2020). Plasma cells create immunoglobulins (IgM) as a component of the body’s reactive production of antibodies to an invasive infection. B cells, which are mature yet naive when at rest, express IgM as a transmembrane antigen receptor that serves as a component of the B-cell receptor (BCR). Instead of producing type 1 interferons, the rubella virus infection, often known as the German measles, causes the production of cytokines and chemokines. In most cases, the immune response effectively eradicates the illness and creates lifelong immunity (Chen et al., 2020). Aside from the loss of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and greater vulnerability to secondary infections, infection is also linked to viral RNA retention and immune inactivation lasting many weeks.

Infectious Disease Formation

Rubella Virus is the disease-causing agent of rubella disease, commonly known as German measles (Iqbal et al., 2020). Rubella is a highly contagious acute disease and is characterized by rash and fever. Even though Rubella is recognized as a clinically mild sickness, its primary infection during early pregnancy may lead to spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or a chronic illness in infants known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) (Winter & Moss, 2022). If left untreated, CRS may infect the placenta, spread to the fetus, and alter the normal functioning of several fetal systems by causing systemic inflammation and interrupting the organ. CRS may also cause several anomalies, including deafness, heart defects, and cataract formation (Mangtani et al., 2020).

Epidemiology

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10632634733Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 1: Transmission of Rubella Virus Infection

0Figure SEQ Figure * ARABIC 1: Transmission of Rubella Virus Infection

Rubella virus is a human illness that transmits from an infected person to a healthy person through droplets released from an infected individual’s respiratory secretions when the person coughs or sneezes (Woyessa et al., 2019). The Rubella virus transmission from an infected person to a healthy person s shown above. The disease can also be transmitted via direct contact with an infected person. During pregnancy, the infection is spread from the mother to the fetus through the placenta.

Prevention

Rubella vaccines were discovered during the late 1960s. Consequently, this led to a significant reduction in the CRS incidence, which before vaccination ranged between 10 and 400 per 100,000 live births (Mangtani et al., 2020). Today, Rubella vaccines are administered in many nations through childhood vaccination programs, with vaccines that contain live mumps and measles viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages all children to get a vaccine against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR vaccine). The MMR vaccine prevents infection of mumps, measles, and Rubella in children (La Torre et al., 2017). Children should get the first dose 1 year through to the next 3 months while the second dose at the age of 4 years through to the next 2 years. Students attending educational institutions of higher learning who lack presumed vaccination must receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. This also applies to medical staff, people in transit internationally, and adults who may be exposed to the virus. Women with the intention of getting pregnant should also get vaccinated to prevent harming their children before birth (La Torre et al., 2017). The vaccine enhances the autoimmune response by exposing the immune system to antigens, a less potent version of the virus. These antigens give the body’s immune system instructions on how to recognize and get rid of the Rebulla virus without causing any terrible condition. Rubella vaccines are also administered to Rubella susceptible women, with pregnancy being exclusion for the vaccine administration due to the risk of congenital disease during pregnancy (Mangtani et al., 2020). After vaccination, women are advised to avoid pregnancy for at least one month.

Treatment

For the treatment of Rubella, there are no particular chemotherapeutic options that exist. In an effort to prevent Rubella in pregnant women showing symptoms of the virus, immunoglobulin has been employed. Immunoglobulin, however, does not seem to be very efficient. Children of women who received significant doses at the right time and with the proper timing have been found to have a genetic disease (Cuelho et al., 2018). Direct viral cell-to-cell transmission may be the cause of the antibody’s inability to stop the infection and spread to the fetus. Immunoglobulin is therefore not typically advised for the prevention of Rubella in early pregnancy. CDC also agrees that there is no specific drug that can cure Rubella or speed up the disease’s remission. The effects are frequently not acute. People can control their minor symptoms by staying in bed and taking fever-reducers like paracetamol. Supportive treatment is crucial, along with maintaining excellent hydration and restoration of fluids lost due to vomiting or diarrhea (Absalem et al., 2017). If the dehydration persists, intravenous (IV) rehydration may be required.

Clinical Relevance

The CDC claims that the molecular epidemiology of rubella viruses is a critical element for establishing causative relationships between cases or ruling out occurrences during studies. The vaccination strain of the rubella virus can be distinguished from wild-type viruses by its genotype, which can be determined from clinical samples or virus isolates. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises the gathering of genetic information on the rubella virus to enhance international management and eradication campaigns. There are currently four genotypes of the rubella virus that are widely spread around the world. They are 2B, 1E, 1G, and 1J (Zhu et al., 2016). The rubella virus mostly affects unvaccinated children and pregnant women. It is most common in developing countries in Africa and Asia. Transmission is mainly through coughing, sneezing, and any other direct contact with the nose or mouth of an infected person (Winter & Moss, 2022). The use of antibiotics helps people infected with the Rebulla virus to avoid complications such as pneumonia. Co-trimoxazole and penicillin antibiotics have been very effective even though there is no specific dosage agreed on in various studies.

Conclusion

Rubella virus is a spherical, positive sense, and single-stranded RNA virus. This virus encodes three structural proteins: Capsid Protein (CP), E1, and E2, as well as two non-structural proteins: p150 and p90. CP is the virulence factor of the Rubella virus, and it allows the virus to multiply in host cells and evade the host’s immune response. Furthermore, IgA, IgM, and IgG are crucial in the defense against the rubella virus. An additional crucial step in fighting the infection is the activation of cytotoxic T cells. Rubella virus is the causative agent of Rubella disease. Rubella disease is an acute condition characterized by rash and fever. Although Rubella disease is a clinically mild condition, when the infection occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, it causes a CRS, a chronic condition in the fetus. CRS may cause several anomalies such as deafness, heart defects, and cataract formation. Usually, Rubella is spread from an infected person to another person via direct contact or droplets from the infected person’s respiratory secretions. During pregnancy, the virus is transmitted to the fetus via the placenta. The MMR vaccine is used for preventing the Rubella virus, and so far, there are no particular chemotherapeutic options for treating Rubella virus infection. In terms of the Virus’s clinical relevance, the CDC reveals that the molecular epidemiology of rubella viruses is a critical element for establishing causative relationships between cases.

References

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