Abstract
Of the 24 known measles genotypes, only D8 and B3 are responsible for outbreaks in the last years in Europe, Asia, and America. In this study the H gene of 92 strains circulating between 2015 and 2019 in Lombardy, Northern Italy, and 1273 H sequences available in GenBank were analyzed in order to evaluate the genetic variability and to assess the conservation of the immunodominant sites. Overall, in Lombardy we observed the presence of four different B3 and three different D8 clusters, each one of them including sequences derived from viruses found in both vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects. Worldwide, the residue 400 within the H protein, a position located within the main immune epitope, is mutated in all circulating strains that belong to the two globally endemic genotypes, B3 and D8. Our data demonstrate the usefulness of measles virus (MV) H gene sequencing. Indeed, the monitoring the H protein epitopes of circulating strains could be included in the measles laboratory surveillance activities in order to improve and optimize strategies for measles control, as countries go towards elimination phase.
Highlights
Measles is a highly contagious disease that results from the infection with measles virus (MV), an RNA virus member of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae [1]
When we looked at the molecular epidemiology of these viruses in a global perspective, we noticed that all strains from Lombardy were included within broader clades characterized by the presence of amino acid mutations included within viral immune epitopes
Our data demonstrate the usefulness of MV H gene sequencing
Summary
Measles is a highly contagious disease that results from the infection with measles virus (MV), an RNA virus member of the genus Morbillivirus within the family Paramyxoviridae [1]. Despite the existence of an effective and safe vaccine available since the 1960s, measles still represents a serious public health issue, being responsible for outbreaks worldwide and for more than 100,000 deaths every year [2]. There are still a number of measles outbreaks occurring worldwide and in the last few years four nations (UK, Brazil, Greece, and Venezuela) lost WHO measles elimination status and the United States nearly lost this status in 2019 [4]. These recent events are indicative of sub-optimal vaccination coverage, which can be ascribed to vaccine opposition groups. WHO surveillance data from 2013 to 2017 show that 9% of global measles cases occurred in individuals that received two doses of the vaccine [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
