Pathogenesis of Congenital Rubella Virus Infection in Human Fetuses: Viral Infection in the Ciliary Body Could Play an Important Role in Cataractogenesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Development of congenital rubella syndrome associated with rubella virus infection during pregnancy is clinically important, but the pathogenicity of the virus remains unclear.

Methods

Pathological examination was conducted on 3 aborted fetuses with congenital rubella infection.

Findings

At autopsy, all 3 aborted fetuses showed congenital cataract confirmed by gross observation. Rubella virus infection occurred via systemic organs including circulating hematopoietic stem cells confirmed by immunohistochemical and molecular investigations, and major histopathogical changes were found in the liver. It is noteworthy that the virus infected the ciliary body of the eye, suggesting a possible cause of cataracts.

Interpretation

Our study based on the pathol

SUBMITTER: Nguyen TV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4484509 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature