Rubella-associated arthritis: rescue of rubella virus from peripheral blood lymphocytes two years postvaccination.

Rubella virus was isolated from the peripheral lymphocytes of a patient with rubella-associated arthritis 2 years after rubella vaccination. The rescue of the virus was carried out by stimulating the lymphocytes with mitogens for several days in cultures and then cocultivating them with RK13 cells at 35 degrees C. Rubella virus was detected by a variety of techniques, including electron microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence, polyacrylamide gel analysis of labeled viral proteins, and microfocus assay for infectious virus particles. Assessment of the immune status of the patient did not indicate any impairment of immune function associated with long-term persistence of the virus.