Browsing by Author "Abernathy, Emily S."

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    Phylogenetic analysis of rubella viruses found in Morocco, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa from 2001 to 2007
    (Journal of clinical virology, 2008) Caidi, Hayat; Abernathy, Emily S.; Benjouad, Aziz; Smit, Sheilagh; Bwogi, Josephine; Nanyunja, Miriam; Aouad, Rajae E.; Icenogle, Joseph
    Rubella virus (RV) causes a mild disease, but maternal infection early in pregnancy often leads to birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Rubella remains poorly controlled in Africa. Objectives: To identify RV genotypes found in Africa to help establish a genetic baseline for RV molecular epidemiology. Study design: Urine and nasopharyngeal specimens were collected between 2001 and 2004 during measles surveillance in Morocco, Uganda and South Africa, and from two persons in the United States who contracted rubella in Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda in 2004 and 2007, respectively. RVRNAwas obtained directly from specimens or from RV-infected cell cultures, amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and the resulting DNAs sequenced. Sequences were assigned to genotypes by phylogenetic analysis with RV reference sequences. Results: Nine RV sequences were assigned as follows: 1E in Morocco, 1G in Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire, and 2B in South Africa. Conclusions: Information about RV genotypes circulating in Africa is improved which should aid in control of rubella and CRS in Africa.
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    Status of Global Virologic Surveillance for Rubella Viruses
    (The Journal of infectious diseases, 2011) Abernathy, Emily S.; Hu¨bschen, Judith M.; Muller, Claude P.; Jin, Li; Brown, David; Komase, Katsuhiro; Mori, Yoshio; Xu, Wenbo; Zhu, Zhen; Siqueira, Marilda M.; Shulga, Sergey; Tikhonova, Nina; Pattamadilok, Sirima; Incomserb, Patcha; Smit, Sheilagh B.; Akoua-Koffi, Chantal; Bwogi, Josephine; Lim, Wilina W. L.; Woo, Gibson K. S.; Triki, Hinda; Jee, Youngmee; Mulders, Mick N.; Maria Bispo de Filippis, Ana; Ahmed, Hinda; Icenogle, Joseph P.; Ramamurty, Nalini; Featherstone, David
    The suspected measles case definition captures rubella cases. Therefore, measles surveillance will be improved in the course of the control and eventual elimination of rubella transmission. One aspect of rubella control, virologic surveillance, is reviewed here. A systematic nomenclature for rubella viruses (RVs) based on 13 genotypes has been established and is updated when warranted by increases in information about RVs. From 2005 through 2010, the genotypes of RVs most frequently reported were 1E, 1G, and 2B, and genotypes 1a, 1B, 1C, 1h, 1j, and 2C were less frequently reported. Virologic surveillance can support rubella control and elimination. Synopses of rubella virologic surveillance in various countries, regions, and globally are given, including characterization of viruses from imported cases in a country that has eliminated rubella and studies of endemic viruses circulating in countries without rubella control objectives. Current challenges are discussed.