Summary auto-generated
This study characterized mumps virus genotypes in the Stockholm area by genotyping the small hydrophobic (SH) protein gene from 18 virus isolates and 22 serum samples collected between 1971 and 1997. Using PCR with genotype-specific primers and nucleotide sequencing, researchers identified three co-circulating genotypes: A, C, and D. A striking difference emerged between sample types—virus isolates from cerebrospinal fluid contained genotypes C and D, while all serum samples contained genotype A, predominantly the SBL-1 strain. The study confirmed the existence of six genotypes (A-F) globally. Importantly, genotypes C and D isolates were exclusively associated with meningitis cases, often accompanied by parotitis, whereas genotype A infections typically presented with parotitis alone, rarely causing meningitis. The geometric mean age of patients with genotypes C/D was 10 years, compared to 21 years for genotype A patients. The researchers developed a rapid PCR-based genotyping method useful for screening large numbers of specimens, though sequencing provided greater detail. These findings suggest different pathogenic behaviors among mumps virus genotypes, with C and D showing higher neurovirulence than genotype A.
Key findings
- A rapid PCR-based genotyping method successfully differentiated mumps virus genotypes A, C, and D, providing an easy screening tool for large numbers of specimens
- Genotypes C and D were associated exclusively with meningitis cases, while genotype A predominantly caused parotitis with rare meningitis, suggesting genotype-specific differences in neuropathogenicity
- All 22 serum samples contained genotype A (predominantly SBL-1 strain), while 18 virus isolates from cerebrospinal fluid contained genotypes C and D only, indicating different tissue tropism or clinical presentation patterns between genotypes
- The study confirmed the existence of six mumps virus genotypes (A-F) globally and identified amino acid sequence conservation within genotypes A and B, while genotype D showed the greatest heterogeneity with at least two distinct groups
- Type-specific neutralizing antibodies exist against different mumps genotypes, emphasizing the importance of monitoring circulating genotypes and measuring immunity against individual genotypes
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Abstract
Eighteen virus isolates and 22 serum samples collected between 1971 and 1997 from patients with mumps were genotyped by PCR with specific primer pairs for the A, C and D genotypes of the small hydrophobic (SH) protein gene. All serum samples were subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis of the gene, and the deduced 57-amino-acid sequences were aligned with previously published sequences from the USA, Canada, Portugal, the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, China and Japan. The existence of six genotypes of the SH protein gene, named A to F, was confirmed. In the Stockholm area, co- circulation of genotypes A, C and D at different times was found. There was a striking difference in genotype between the virus isolates and the serum samples. The 18 virus isolates represented genotypes C and D, whereas the 22 serum samples contained genotype A. In most cases, the amino acid sequences of the 22 genotype A specimens were identical to the previously described SBL-1 strain of genotype A. Genotypes C and D were always associated with meningitis, and in some cases parotitis, whereas infection with genotype A most often resulted in parotitis and seldom in meningitis.