Viral molecular characterization of the first congenital rubella syndrome case in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND Rubella virus (RV) infection during the first trimester of pregnancy often leads to severe birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). METHODS A premature newborn male was clinically diagnosed as CRS with cataracts, congenital heart defects, microcephaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and thrombocytopenia. The infection was confirmed serologically and molecularly. RESULTS The RV was characterized and clustered with the 2B genotype. CONCLUSIONS The integrated description of clinical features, serological and molecular data provide a baseline for diagnosis and control of rubella and CRS in Vietnam. This is the first report of molecular investigation of wildtype RV strain in Vietnam, thus contributing to the documentation of RV's worldwide distribution.