Title:A Biotechnological Review on Patents Applied to Rubella Diagnosis
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
Author(s): Jonatas Oliveira da Silva, Michelli dos Santos, Ana Amélia Maia Silva, André Vinícius Fernandes Ferreira, Laís Moreira Nogueira, Isadora Braga Gandra, Silvio José Elisei Carvalho Junior, Juliana Martins Machado, Ana Alice Maia Gonçalves, Rodolfo Cordeiro Giunchetti, Mariana Campos-da-Paz and Alexsandro Sobreira Galdino*
Affiliation:
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, Sebastião
Gonçalves Coelho, 400, 355901-296, Divinópolis, MG, Brazil
Keywords:
Rubella, German measles, Rubella virus, diagnosis Rubella, Rubella antibodies, recombinant proteins.
Abstract:
Background: Rubella, caused by the Rubella virus (RV), is considered a mild
self-limited illness. However, RV has teratogenic potential. Laboratory investigation plays
an important role in both diagnosis and surveillance of the disease. The main methods for
diagnosing Rubella are serological assays for the detection of specific IgM and molecular
assays for detecting viral RNA. However, some laboratories perform IgG avidity testing,
virus isolation and analysis of genetic sequence as tools to help Rubella eradication. The
importance of the diagnosis of Rubella involves the appropriate treatment of the disease,
because the Rubella clinical symptoms may be similar to those of other diseases, and the
population monitoring to avoid new emergent cases. This study addresses different methods
of diagnosing Rubella and contributes as a source of knowledge to assist health systems
in controlling the disease.
Objective: The main objective of this study was to review the available patents regarding
Rubella diagnosis published in intellectual property databases, and provides an overview of
the technologies available for the diagnosis of Rubella.
Method: The search strategy was based on the keywords searched separately or together
using a Boolean operator either in the patent title or abstract the time interval was restricted
to patents filed or granted from January 2009 until February 2022. The database used was
Google Patents.
Results: This study analyzed 24 patent documents regarding strategies for the diagnosis of
Rubella. Of these, 15 patents disclose strategies for detecting Rubella antibodies, 7 patents
the detection of Rubella virus nucleic acid, and 2 patents the production of antibodies applied
in Rubella diagnosis.
Conclusion: Rubella is still a public health problem in some countries, mainly those in development,
especially due to congenital Rubella syndrome, which can cause malformation
or fetal death. However, its diagnosis is challenging, due to similarity of symptoms with
other diseases, and for this reason, laboratory diagnosis is essential. Studies like this encourage
researchers and governments to invest in research to continue the development of
new products, using different areas of biotechnology, to solve society's problems, especially
diseases that have an impact on global health, such as Rubella.
