Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Rubella Virus (rubella + virus)
Selected AbstractsReview of animal models for autism: implication of thyroid hormoneCONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 1 2006Miyuki Sadamatsu ABSTRACT,, Autism is a behaviorally defined disorder associated with characteristic impairments in social interactions and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interest. Its prevalence was once thought to be 2/10 000, but recently several large autism prevalence reviews revealed that the rate of occurrence was roughly 30/10 000. While it has been considered a developmental disorder, little is certain about its etiology. Neuroanatomical studies at the histological level in the brains of autistic patients provide many arguments in the etiology of autism. Results from postmortem and imaging studies have implicated many major structures of the brain including the limbic system, cerebellum, corpus callosum, basal ganglia and brainstem. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism. While several promising candidate genes have been presented, the critical loci are yet unknown. Environmental influences such as rubella virus, valproic acid, and thalidomide exposure during pregnancy are also considered important, as concordance in monozygotic twins is less than 100% and the phenotypic expression of the disorder varies widely. It is thus hypothesized that non-genetic mechanisms contribute to the onset of autistic syndrome. In light of these ambiguities, hope is held that an animal model of autism may help elucidate matters. In this article, we overview most of the currently available animal models for autism, and propose the rat with mild and transient neonatal hypothyroidism as a novel model for autism. [source] A new look at viruses in type 1 diabetesDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 1 2003Hee-Sook Jun Abstract Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Genetic factors are believed to be a major component for the development of T1D, but the concordance rate for the development of diabetes in identical twins is only about 40%, suggesting that nongenetic factors play an important role in the expression of the disease. Viruses are one environmental factor that is implicated in the pathogenesis of T1D. To date, 14 different viruses have been reported to be associated with the development of T1D in humans and animal models. Viruses may be involved in the pathogenesis of T1D in at least two distinct ways: by inducing beta cell-specific autoimmunity, with or without infection of the beta cells, [e.g. Kilham rat virus (KRV)] and by cytolytic infection and destruction of the beta cells (e.g. encephalomyocarditis virus in mice). With respect to virus-mediated autoimmunity, retrovirus, reovirus, KRV, bovine viral diarrhoea-mucosal disease virus, mumps virus, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are discussed. With respect to the destruction of beta cells by cytolytic infection, encephalomyocarditis virus, mengovirus and Coxsackie B viruses are discussed. In addition, a review of transgenic animal models for virus-induced autoimmune diabetes is included, particularly with regard to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, influenza viral proteins and the Epstein-Barr viral receptor. Finally, the prevention of autoimmune diabetes by infection of viruses such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Specific IgE to allergens in cord blood is associated with maternal immunity to Toxoplasma gondii and rubella virusALLERGY, Issue 11 2008M. J. Ege Background:, Various studies have found reduced prevalences of atopic sensitization and atopic diseases in children previously exposed to infections or living conditions with a high microbial burden, such as the farming environment. Objective:, We sought to determine the relationships of cord blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) with maternal health conditions before and during pregnancy. Methods:, Pregnant women living in rural areas in five European countries were recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy. Information on maternal health during pregnancy was collected from maternity records and by questionnaires (n = 497). Specific IgE for inhalant and food allergens was assessed in cord blood and peripheral blood samples of the mothers. Results:, Inverse associations of cord blood IgE to seasonal allergens with positive maternal records for Toxoplasma gondii (adjusted odds ratio = 0.37 [0.17,0.81]) and rubella virus (adjusted odds ratio = 0.35 [0.13,0.96]) were found. The previously described effect of prenatal farm exposure on IgE to seasonal allergens was partly confounded by a positive maternal record for T. gondii. The number of maternal siblings, maternal contact to cats during pregnancy or during her first year of life, predicted a positive maternal record for T. gondii. Conclusions:, Maternal immunity to T. gondii and rubella may impact on atopic sensitization in the fetus. A positive T. gondii record explained the previously identified effect of prenatal farm exposure on IgE to seasonal allergens only to a minor extent. [source] Molecular epidemiology of rubella virus in Asia: Utility for reduction in the burden of diseases due to congenital rubella syndromePEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2004Shigetaka Katow AbstractBackground:,Rubella is a mild disease mainly of infants, involving a rash and a fever. However, when women who have no immunity to rubella are infected during the early stage of pregnancy, their babies are often born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which is characterized by a few disorders including deafness, cataracts and heart malformations. To prevent CRS, several strains of live attenuated rubella vaccine have been developed and introduced into immunization programs in many countries. In most Asian countries except Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, rubella remains uncontrolled, and the burden of diseases from CRS is high. In order to develop a control program to reduce the number of CRS cases in Asian countries, it is necessary to conduct a survey of rubella and CRS cases, and to then determine the genotype of the circulating rubella virus in each country. Methods:,Cases of rubella and CRS, based on national reporting systems or active surveillance in the Asian countries, are summarized. Sequences of the E1 gene of the virus isolates from the Asian countries were compared by phylogenic analysis. Results:,Recent studies of the molecular epidemiology of rubella virus worldwide revealed that there are two genotypes, and that genotype I is circulating almost worldwide, while genotype II is an Asian prototype restricted to the Asian continent. Genotype I viruses fall into a number of groups, some of which are geographically localized. Antigenically these two genotypes are cross-reactive and immunization with either virus results in immunity to all rubella viruses. Discussion:,The hypotheses that rubella virus has evolved on the Asian continent is proposed. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized that a rubella immunization program can be combined with the measles immuization program. Inclusion of rubella in the expanded program of immunization (EPI) of measles would be ideal in Asian countries, as it would be efficient and cost effective to administer one injection containing a three-combined vaccine (MMR). It would also be desirable given that WHO require laboratory tests to confirm the presence of measles or rubella as part of it's measles control project, because rubella is often misdiagnosed as measles. [source] Teratology: From science to birth defects prevention,,BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Sonja A. Rasmussen Abstract One of the goals of birth defects research is to better understand risk or preventive factors for birth defects so that strategies for prevention can be developed. In this article, we have selected four areas of birth defects research that have led to the development of prevention strategies. These areas include rubella virus as a cause of congenital rubella syndrome, folic acid as a preventive factor for neural tube defects, cytomegalovirus infection as a cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities, and alcohol as a cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. For each of these areas, we review key clinical and research findings that led to the identification of the risk or preventive factor, milestones in the development of prevention strategies, and the progress made thus far toward prevention. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||