This article summarizes recent data on the rubella virus vaccine in chronic inflammation focusing on granulomas in individuals with primary immunodeficiencies.

The live attenuated RuV vaccine has been recently associated with cutaneous and visceral granulomas in children with various PIDs. RuV vaccine strain can persist for decades subclinically in currently unknown body sites before emerging in granulomas. Histologically, RuV is predominantly localized in M2 macrophages in the granuloma centers. Multiple mutations accumulate during persistence resulting in the emergence of immunodeficiency-related vaccine-derived rubella viruses with altered immunological, replication, and persistence properties. Viral RNA was detected in nasopharyngeal secretions, and infectious viruses were isolated from the granuloma lesions. The risk of iVDRV transmissibility to contacts needs to be evaluated. Several broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been tested recently but did not provide significant clinical improvement. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only reliable option for curing chronic RuV-associated granulomas in PIDs.

The study concluded that the persistence of vaccine-derived RuVs appears to be a crucial factor in a significant proportion of granulomatous disease in PIDs. RuV testing of granulomas in PID individuals might help with case management.

Reference: https://journals.lww.com/co-allergy/Fulltext/2020/12000/Rubella_virus_associated_chronic_inflammation_in.6.aspx

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