Rubella epidemic in Vietnam: characteristic of rubella virus genes from pregnant women and their fetuses/newborns with congenital rubella syndrome.

Background: Rubella remains poorly controlled in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize rubella virus spread in Vietnam during 2011-2012.

Study Design: Amniotic fluid, throat swab and placenta samples were collected from 130 patients (110 cases from pregnant women with suspected rubella and 20 cases from fetuses/newborns).