Search results for "measles virus"
showing 10 items of 16 documents
Measles in Italy: Viral strains and crossing borders
2019
In 2017, Italy experienced one of the largest outbreaks of measles in recent years, with 5404 notified cases and 4347 confirmed cases. A further 2029 cases were notified during the first 6 months of 2018, and 1516 of them were laboratory-confirmed. The B3 and D8 genotypes were identified as those responsible for the outbreak. Possible transmission routes can be established by monitoring the circulating measles virus strains in support of the national health authorities to warn people and travellers. Keywords: Outbreak, Measles, Genotype identification, Surveillance
Case-based surveillance of measles in Sicily during 2012-2017: The changing molecular epidemiology and implications for vaccine strategies.
2018
Following the indication of the World Health Organization, a national plan for the elimination of measles was approved in Italy and this included the improvement of the molecular surveil- lance of measles viruses and the interruption of indigenous transmission of the disease. Nevertheless, large outbreaks continue to occur in almost all regions of the country, includ- ing Sicily. Here we describe the epidemiology and molecular dynamics of measles viruses as a result of the measles surveillance activity carried out by the “Reference Laboratory for Measles and Rubella” in Sicily over a 5-year period. Biological samples of 259 suspected measles cases were tested for viral RNA detection and a t…
Chaperoning the Mononegavirales: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
2018
This article belongs to the Special Issue Breakthroughs in Viral Replication.
Characterization of measles virus strains circulating in Southern Italy (Palermo area, Sicily) between 2010 and 2011
2015
Measles virus (MV) was classified in 24 genotypes that show a distinct geographic distribution. Genotypes contain multiple distinct lineages. In 2011 large outbreaks of measles occurred in Italy and in many European countries. Aims of this study are to analyze the intra-genotype variability and to follow the importation and the spread of new MV strains in Sicily. A fragment of 450. bps of MV C-terminal nucleoprotein was sequenced from sera of 73 Sicilian patients with symptomatic measles infections, occurred between 2010 and 2011. Five MV strains were D4 genotype and 68 were D8 genotype. The MV/D4 sequences were related to MV/D4-Enfield variant. Two lineages of MV/D8 genotypes, related to M…
Detection of IgM antibodies specific for measles virus by capture and indirect enzyme immunoassays.
1995
Summary During a measles outbreak, 112 serum specimens from 88 hospitalized patients were received in our laboratory for investigation of a morbilliform rash. These specimens (88 acute- and 24 convalescent-phase) were tested for the presence of measles-specific IgM antibodies by a capture EIA (enzyme immunoassay) using peroxidase-conjugated measles virus antigens and by an indirect EIA. Commercially available indirect EIA kits for measles-specific IgM antibodies were also used and compared with our homemade EIAs. Specificity studies included a collection of serum specimens containing rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies or IgM antibodies specific to other viruses, and sera from blood d…
Measles virus enhances the expression of cellular immediate-early genes and DNA-binding of transcription factor AP-1 in lung epithelial A549 cells.
2002
In this work we investigated the effect of measles virus (MV) infection on the expression of immediate-early genes junB, c-jun and c-fos mRNA as well as AP-1 DNA-binding activity in the lung epithelial-like adenocarcinoma cell line A549. The transcription factor AP-1, which is a group of dimeric complexes of the Fos and Jun family proteins, is an important regulator in many cellular responses to different extracellular stimuli. Membrane cofactor protein CD46, which acts as a receptor for laboratory-adapted and vaccine strains of MV, has been reported to associate with beta1 integrin molecules, which are known to trigger signaling events and activate immediate-early genes. The expression of …
Concurrent detection of human herpesvirus type 6 and measles-specific IgMs during acute exanthematic human parvovirus B19 infection
2006
A familial outbreak of human parvovirus B19 infection is described in which serological tests carried out routinely for determining the causal agent of febrile rashes of viral etiology failed to yield a definitive diagnosis. Concurrent detection of serum IgMs to parvovirus B19 and to heterologous viruses such as human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) and measles virus complicated interpretation of the data. IgG avidity tests and investigation and testing for the presence of viral DNA in sera by PCR were required to confirm parvovirus B19. The study stresses the importance of avidity and PCR tests to obtain a firm diagnosis of febrile exanthematic viral diseases.
Post-vaccine measles in a child with concomitant influenza, Sicily, Italy, March 2015
2015
We describe the occurrence of measles in an 18 month-old patient in Sicily, Italy, in March 2015, who received the first dose of a measles-containing vaccine seven days before onset of prodromal symptoms. Measles virus infection was confirmed by PCR and detection of specific immunoglobulin; viral genotyping permitted the confirmation of a vaccine-associated illness. The patient had a concurrent influenza virus infection, during a seasonal epidemic outbreak of influenza.
Immunogenicity and safety of two doses of tetravalent measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine in healthy children.
2006
Combination vaccines against common childhood diseases are widely used, provide an improved coverage, are more convenient and are more cost-effective than multiple injections. We conducted a study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) candidate vaccine in comparison with the separate administration of licensed measles-mumps-rubella (MMR; Priorix) and varicella (V; Varilrix) vaccines.Healthy children 12-18 months of age received 2 doses of MMRV vaccine (3 lots) 6-8 weeks apart (MMRV group) or 1 dose of MMR vaccine administered concomitantly with 1 dose of varicella vaccine, followed by a second dose of MMR at 6-8 weeks later (MMR+V gro…
Foci of degeneration produced by measles virus in cell cultures with antibody-free liquid medium
1974
Measles virus produces discrete foci of degeneration in monkey kidney cell and HeLa cell cultures with antibody-free liquid medium. The number of sharply defined “foci” is directly proportional to the relative virus dilution. The technique for enumeration of infective units of measles virus by “foci” count is described. The self-limiting spread of measles virusin vitro and some possible advantages over the standard plaque method are discussed.