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The mumps virus neurovirulence safety test in Rhesus monkeys: a comparison of mumps virus strains
S A Rubin1, P J Snoy, K E Wright
1Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. rubins@cber.fda.gov
Abstract:
Wild type mumps viruses are highly neurotropic and a frequent cause of aseptic meningitis in unvaccinated humans. To test whether attenuated mumps viruses used in the manufacture of mumps vaccines have neurovirulent properties, a monkey neurovirulence safety test (MNVT) is performed. However, results with several mumps virus MNVTs have raised questions as to whether the test can reliably discriminate neurovirulent from nonneurovirulent mumps virus strains. Here, various mumps virus strains representing a wide range of neuropathogenicity were tested in a standardized MNVT. A trend of higher neurovirulence scores was observed in monkeys inoculated with wild type mumps virus versus vaccine strains, although differences were not statistically significant. Results indicated the need for further examination and refinement of the MNVT or for development of alternative MNVTs.
Insights
Wild type mumps viruses can cause meningitis, but the monkey neurovirulence safety test (MNVT) may not reliably distinguish harmful from safe vaccine strains. Further research is needed to refine or replace the current safety test.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Vaccinology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Wild type mumps viruses are highly neurotropic, frequently causing aseptic meningitis in unvaccinated individuals.
- The monkey neurovirulence safety test (MNVT) is used to assess the safety of attenuated mumps virus vaccine strains.
- Concerns exist regarding the reliability of the MNVT in differentiating neurovirulent from non-neurovirulent mumps virus strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the standardized monkey neurovirulence safety test (MNVT) in discriminating between wild type and attenuated mumps virus strains.
- To assess the neurovirulent properties of various mumps virus strains with differing neuropathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Standardized monkey neurovirulence safety test (MNVT) was performed on various mumps virus strains.
- Mumps virus strains tested represented a wide spectrum of neuropathogenicity, including wild type and vaccine strains.
Main Results:
- A trend towards higher neurovirulence scores was observed in monkeys inoculated with wild type mumps virus compared to vaccine strains.
- Statistical significance was not achieved in differentiating the neurovirulence between wild type and vaccine mumps virus strains using the MNVT.
- The study highlighted variability in results obtained from mumps virus MNVTs.
Conclusions:
- The current MNVT may not be sufficiently reliable for discriminating between neurovirulent and non-neurovirulent mumps virus strains.
- Further examination and refinement of the existing MNVT are necessary.
- Development of alternative or improved safety tests for mumps virus vaccines is warranted.