Standardization of rubella immunoassays

Rubella virus (RV) is only found in humans and is transmitted by aerosol via the respiratory tract. It is responsible of a mild viral disease that typically occured in childhood before introduction of vaccination. The risks of congenital infection and defects depend on the gestational age at infection. A RV infection during embryogenesis often leads to the classic triad of cataracts, cardiac abnormalities and sensorineural deafness, but many other defects may be observed. RV was first isolated in 1962, in the following years serologic assays were developed, and in 1969, three rubella vaccines (HPV-77, Cendehill and RA27/3) were licensed [1 –3].
Source: Journal of Clinical Virology - Category: Virology Authors: Source Type: research