Measles virus strains circulating in Ethiopia in 1998-1999: molecular characterisation using oral fluid samples and identification of a new genotype.
- Nigatu, W
- Jin, L
- Cohen, BJ
- Nokes, DJ
- Etana, M
- Cutts, FT
- Brown, DW
DOIAbstract
A measles outbreak in December 1998 in Bedelle (vaccine coverage <40%) and two sporadic cases in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were investigated. Paired serum and oral fluid samples were collected 2-8 days after the onset of symptoms. A total of 53 of 55 outbreak cases and both sporadic cases were positive for serum measles virus-specific IgM. Oral fluid measles-specific IgM was positive in 71% of cases collected up to 5 days after onset and in 90% collected at 6-8 days. By contrast, 100% of oral fluid samples were positive for measles virus RNA by RT-PCR, suggesting that early collection of samples favoured the detection of measles virus RNA by RT-PCR. The measles virus strain in the outbreak was identified as genotype D4. One strain from a spora...
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