MOLECULAR DETECTION OF RUBELLA VIRUS GLYCOPROTEIN AMONG WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE IN LOKOJA

Abstract Background: The gene order for the Rubella virus (RV)40S RNA is 5' -p150-p90-C-E2-E1-3' and the complete nucleotide sequence of RV has been determined for three strains. The RV core is surrounded by a host-derived lipid bilayer containing 5-6nm long spikes composed of the E2 and E1 glycoproteins Objective(s): Molecular detection of Rubella virus glycoprotein after serum screening of 240 women attending Federal Medical Centre Lokoja (FMC) via IgG and IgM ELISA. Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out in Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic at FMC Lokoja. Serology for anti RV-IgG and IgM was done for 240 blood samples after serum separation. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was done for rubella cDNA via RUB 2 & 7 and RUB 8 & 11 specific primers and this was sequenced using dye terminator cycle sequencing. Result: 231(96.25%) of 240 and 4(1.7%) of 231 subjects were positive to Rubella IgG and IgM respectively after assay. PCR band result had 320bp on 1kb DNA plus ladder of 0.9μg/lane and live blast of the 320 length sequence result revealed a Rubella membrane glycoprotein E1 (Rubella_E1). All subjects that had blood transfusion were positive to Rub-IgG (p=0.566) while 3(1.6%) of 168(88.9%) respondents with no blood transfusion were IgM positive (P= 0.537). 61(32.6%) of 67(35.8%) respondent who reported history of rash were positive to Rub-IgG (p=0.057) and of 30(22.7%) that has had a miscarriage, 29(22.0%) was positive to Rub-IgG (p=0.731) Conclusion: Rubella virus membrane glycoprotein E1, an important structural type 1 membrane protein in the entire pathogenesis of rubella virus has been confirmed in this locality.