Molecular Epidemiology, Transmission, and Evolution of Rubella Virus Circulating in Tianjin, China, Between 2009 and 2020.

Rubella is listed as a disease that needs to be eliminated worldwide by the World Health Organization. This study aimed to investigate rubella epidemiology and genetic characteristics based on data from 12 years of laboratory-based surveillance (2009-2020) in Tianjin and to provide baseline genotype data for monitoring future rubella control efforts. We collected RV-positive throat swab samples from confirmed rubella cases during 2009-2020 in Tianjin to isolate RV, amplify and sequence target gene fragments, construct phylogenetic trees, and analyze nucleotide homologies.

ToRCH Pathogens-Induced Histopathological Changes in Placental Tissues and Associated Post Obstetric Complications.

Background: Maternal infections caused by the ToRCH complex, comprising Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii), Rubella Virus (RV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), are significant contributors to Bad Obstetric History (BOH). These infections can vertically transmit through the placental barrier, leading to complications in fetal development.

Evidence on trends in uptake of childhood vaccines and association with COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Importance: Childhood vaccination rates have declined in recent years; there is also concern that resistance to COVID-19 vaccines could spill over to childhood vaccines.

Objectives: To use local-level data to study trends in childhood vaccination rates and heterogeneity in local rates; including how many areas are below herd-immunity thresholds, and assess the association between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and childhood vaccination.

Design: We report, for 11 states with available data, vaccination rates for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines, including percentage of schools/counties with rates ≥95 %, 90-95 %, 80-90 %, and < 80 %.

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination coverage in capitals and interior region municipalities of Northeast Brazil: a household survey in a cohort of children born in 2017 and 2018.

Objective: To analyze measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination coverage among children up to 24 months old and factors associated with non-vaccination in a 2017-2018 live birth cohort, in state capitals and large interior region cities in Northeast Brazil.

Methods: Population-based survey analyzing vaccination coverage and sociodemographic factors through logistic regression.

Results: For 12,137 children, vaccination coverage was 79.

[Successes and challenges in achieving and sustaining the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome in the Americas, 2013-2023Conquistas e desafios para alcançar e manter a eliminação do sarampo, da rubéola e da síndrome da rubéola congênita na Região das Américas, 2013-2023].

Objetivo: To document the historical facts and the challenges faced in the Region of the Americas in achieving and sustaining measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) elimination between 2013 and 2023.

Method: Special report with a narrative description of the main achievements, challenges, and lessons learned during the period, and an analysis of vaccination coverage, surveillance indicators, and measles outbreaks using data from the Pan American Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund, among others.

Results: Between 2003 and 2016, regional vaccination coverage with the first dose of the measles, rubella, and mumps vaccine was between 92% and 94%; after 2017 there was a marked decline due to lower coverage levels in the most populous countries.

Monitoring measles infections using flight passenger dynamics in Europe: A data-driven approach.

This paper presents an open-access repository collecting information on measles virus infections and flight passenger movements in European countries from 2011 to 2023. It provides a comprehensive overview of reported measles cases and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage from authoritative organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In addition, the dataset includes detailed data on passenger movements between countries, facilitating analysis of cross-border disease transmission.

Scrutinizing the COVID-19 vaccine safety debate.

The controversy surrounding the safety of coronavirus disease-19 vaccinations is part of a larger historical backdrop of ongoing discussions regarding vaccine safety that have spanned several decades. The historical disputes around measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza highlight the recurring pattern in which public doubt is fueled by false information and personal stories. A 2024 multinational study in the journal presented preexisting safety indicators for myocarditis, pericarditis, Guillain - Barré syndrome, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Live-attenuated vaccines for multiple sclerosis patients living in regions with endemic infections: A complex decision.

Live-attenuated vaccines provide robust immunity against diseases like tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, yellow fever, dengue, typhoid fever, and varicella, with just one or a few doses. However, concerns arise regarding potential pathogen reversion to virulence, which is particularly risky for immunocompromised individuals, contraindicating their administration in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients under modified disease treatments due to the possibility of triggering infections, or stimulating the immune system, precipitating new exacerbations. On the contrary, these vaccines offer enduring immunity that is crucial for protecting MS patients from endemic infectious diseases, leading to severe complications if contracted.

[High-quality Follow-up Measles and Rubella vaccination Campaign in Mexico, 2021Campanha de vacinação de seguimento de alta qualidade contra sarampo e rubéola no México, 2021].

Objective: To describe Mexico's experience of a high-quality follow-up vaccination campaign against measles and rubella in children aged 1 to 4 years, and actions taken to recover the coverage of other biologics during the COVID-19 health emergency.

Method: Use of a microplanning tool in the design and implementation of a follow-up campaign to protect 8 604 781 girls and boys aged 1 to 4 years and to complete other vaccination schedules, followed by the implementation of rapid vaccination monitoring.

Results: A total of 8 026 184 doses of MR vaccine were administered to children aged 1 to 4 years, with a coverage rate of 93.

[Measles and Rubella IgG Seropositivity in the Post-elimination Era, Costa Rica, 2012-2023Soropositividade de IgG para os vírus do sarampo e da rubéola na era pós-eliminação, Costa Rica, 2012-2023].

Objective: To determine measles and rubella IgG seropositivity in the post-elimination era, based on data generated by the Costa Rican National Reference Center for Virology laboratory at Inciensa from 2012 to 2023.

Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study analyzing the frequency of measles IgG and rubella IgG reactivity by enzyme-linked immunofluorescence (ELISA) in 877 subjects.

Results: The average age of the studied individuals was 36 years; 51.

Sustaining measles and rubella elimination through the Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission in the Americas.

The elimination of endemic rubella and measles transmission in the Region of the Americas was verified by the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) Regional Verification Commission in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Upon achieving this success, this Commission was disbanded. Shortly afterwards, the Region faced challenges in the post-elimination era, notably responding to and stopping transmission of imported measles cases.

Global challenges and solutions to achieving and sustaining measles and rubella elimination.

Measles and rubella have long been recognized as priorities for disease prevention because of their devastating consequences for child health; hence, all World Health Organization (WHO) regions currently have a goal to eliminate measles and four out of six WHO regions have a goal to eliminate rubella. Significant global progress has been made in the twenty-first century, with more than 40% of countries in the world verified by a Regional Verification Commission as having eliminated measles and more than 50% of countries having sustained rubella elimination. Making further progress will require addressing fundamental gaps in health systems, a particular challenge in the current global context where many countries face multiple barriers to both sustaining and achieving measles and rubella elimination.

[A comprehensive approach to achieving reverification of measles elimination in Venezuela, 2019-2023Abordagem integral para a reverificação da eliminação do sarampo na Venezuela, 2019-2023].

Objective: To describe the comprehensive activities implemented in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to achieve reverification of measles elimination by 2023.

Methods: Descriptive study of the procedures implemented to achieve reverification of measles elimination by 2023 according to the components set forth in the Regional Framework for the Monitoring and Re-verification of Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Elimination in the Americas, published in 2022.

Results: Due to a measles outbreak that began in epidemiological week (EW) 26 of 2017, Venezuela lost the elimination status which had been conferred in 2016 by the Expert Committee.

[Risk factors and control measures in measles outbreaks in countries of the Region of the Americas, 2017-2023Fatores de risco e medidas de controle em surtos de sarampo em países da Região das Américas, 2017-2023].

Objective: To document and compare risk factors and control measures for the largest measles outbreaks in the post-elimination era in the Region of the Americas.

Methods: Description of risk factors such as vaccination coverage, notification rate of suspected cases, measles incidence, and a summary of control measures for major measles outbreaks in six countries from 2017 to 2023. The analysis also includes a review of outbreak characteristics (time, place, and person).

Lessons for sustaining the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome in the Caribbean.

This study searched grey literature and PubMed for strategies to sustain the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome and prevent their reintroduction in the Caribbean. Strategies were categorized at the macro, meso, and micro health levels. Macro strategies include: strong, clear, unified political and technical leadership and support; country ownership and subregional coordination of resources, policies, and programs; government investment in national immunization programs; and timely payment to the Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund for affordable, good-quality vaccines.

[Microplanning as a tool to strengthen the National Immunization Program in BrazilLa microplanificación como herramienta para fortalecer el Programa Nacional de Inmunizaciones en Brasil].

Objective: To measure the variation in number of doses, vaccination coverage (VC) of administered vaccines, and number of municipalities that achieved the VC target in Brazil with the implementation of microplanning for high-quality vaccination activities (HQVA) and decentralized multivaccination actions.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study used data from the National Live Birth Information System, the National Immunization Program Information System, and the National Health Data Network. The number of doses of hepatitis A (HA), meningococcal conjugate-C, oral poliomyelitis, 10-valent pneumococcal, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines administered to children under 2 years of age in 2022 (pre-microplanning) and 2023 (post-microplanning) was estimated.

[Good practices in epidemiological surveillance for the sustainability of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome elimination in El Salvador, 2019-2023Boas práticas de vigilância epidemiológica para a sustentabilidade da eliminação do sarampo, da rubéola e da síndrome da rubéola congênita em El Salvador, 2019-2023].

Objective: Describe good practices in epidemiological surveillance implemented in El Salvador between 2019 and 2023 to sustain the elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome.

Methods: Special descriptive report on the implementation of good epidemiological and laboratory surveillance practices for measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome from 2019 to 2023.

Results: During the period 2019 to 2023, El Salvador reported no confirmed cases of measles, rubella, or congenital rubella syndrome.

[Rapid vaccination monitoring and its impact on vaccination coverage for high-quality catch-up campaigns in the Dominican Republic, 2023Monitoramento das estratégias de vacinação e impacto nas coberturas de vacinação para campanhas de seguimento de alta qualidade na República Dominicana, 2023].

Objective: To assess the contribution of rapid vaccination monitoring to the achievement of vaccination coverage targets in catch-up vaccination campaigns.

Methods: Data on catch-up vaccination were obtained from the database of the Directorate of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Data analysis was performed in Stata V.

Molecular epidemiology of rubella during the pre- and post-elimination eras in the Americas.

Since the last case of indigenous rubella virus (RuV) was detected in 2009 in the Region of the Americas, sporadic rubella and congenital rubella cases have been confirmed, and subsequently, a low number of associated sequences have been reported. Fifty-one sequences of wild-type RuV, representing four genotypes (1E, 1G, 1J, and 2B), were reported from five countries, with confirmed sources of exposure for 46 cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the diversity of these viruses, showing no associations with sustained endemic transmission from previously endemic strains.

[Impact of the new intervention model to increase vaccination coverage in Paraguay, 2023Impacto de um novo modelo de ação para aumentar as coberturas vacinais no Paraguai, 2023].

Objective: To describe the impact of the new intervention model implemented by Paraguay across five districts of the Central Region in the last quarter of 2023, consisting of an integrated health services-based strategy to recover coverage with the tracer vaccine (pentavalent until April 2023, hexavalent thereafter) in children under 1 year of age; and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for the 1-year-old population.

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study with comparative analysis before (epidemiological weeks [EW] 1 and 34 of 2023) and after (EW35 and EW52 of 2023) the intervention. Three indicators were assessed: a) coverage with all three doses of pentavalent or hexavalent vaccine and first and second doses of MMR; b) productivity, represented by third doses of pentavalent or hexavalent vaccine administered; and c) dropout rates for the pentavalent or hexavalent and MMR vaccines.

Maintaining Immunizations for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in a Changing World.

Immunization has saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years since the launch of the Essential (formerly Expanded) Program on Immunization in 1974, representing 6 lives saved every minute, every year, for 50 years. But achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage have required sustained political and public commitment, financial resources, strong partnerships, research and innovation, and communication and advocacy. New and evolving challenges to maintaining high immunization coverage have emerged alongside long-standing stubborn obstacles.

Rubella virus vaccine-induced granulomas: a case in children with ataxia-telangiectasia.

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a rare autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency disorder (PID) resulting from a mutation in the ATM gene involved in DNA repair. We describe the case of a young girl with cutaneous granulomas that developed after childhood vaccinations. Immunohistochemistry revealed granulomas induced by the rubella virus vaccine.

Evolution of a SHOOTMERISTEMLESS transcription factor binding site promotes fruit shape determination.

In animals and plants, organ shape is primarily determined during primordium development by carefully coordinated growth and cell division. Rare examples of post-primordial change in morphology (reshaping) exist that offer tractable systems for the study of mechanisms required for organ shape determination and diversification. One such example is morphogenesis in Capsella fruits whose heart-shaped appearance emerges by reshaping of the ovate spheroid gynoecium upon fertilization.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Measles-Mumps-Rubella in China's Mainland during 2014-2021.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) between 2014 and 2021 and identify potential strategies and measures for the prevention and control of MMR in China.

Methods: Data on MMR was obtained from China's National Notifiable Disease Reporting System for the period from 2014 to 2021. Spatiotemporal distributions were analyzed using SaTScan; temporal trends were analyzed using JoinPoint; and clusters were visualized using ArcGIS.

Immunization-related complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review of case reports.

Aim: Vaccines have been shown to have the highest efficacy in preventing infectious diseases through their ability to induce immunological memory against pathogens. An adverse reaction to a vaccine is an unexpected medical occurrence following immunization. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disease that has undergone much controversy regarding its onset post-vaccination.