Molecular characterization of two genotypes of mumps virus circulated in Korea during 1998-2001

Joo-Yeon Lee1, Yoon-Young Kim, Gu-Choul Shin

  • 1Department of Virology, Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses, National Institute of Health, Seoul 122-701, South Korea.

Virus Research
|November 7, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Mumps virus strains in Korea (1998-2001) belonged to genotypes H and I. Korean mumps isolates showed unique genetic changes and were not related to current vaccine strains, impacting vaccine efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mumps virus causes significant respiratory illness globally.
  • Understanding circulating mumps virus genotypes is crucial for vaccine development and epidemiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To genetically characterize mumps virus isolates from Korea between 1998 and 2001.
  • To compare Korean isolates with other global strains and vaccine strains.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence analysis of small hydrophobic (SH) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine genotypes and genetic relationships.

Main Results:

  • Korean mumps viruses from 1998-2001 clustered into two genotypes: H and I.
  • Genotype I was predominant, while genotype H was regionally restricted.
  • Korean isolates exhibited type-specific genetic changes in SH and HN genes.
  • Significant nucleotide differences were observed between Korean and European genotype H strains.
  • No genetic relationship was found between Korean isolates and the vaccine strains used.

Conclusions:

  • The genetic diversity of mumps virus in Korea necessitates ongoing surveillance.
  • Current vaccine strains may not provide optimal protection against circulating Korean mumps genotypes.
  • Further research is needed to inform the development of more effective mumps vaccination strategies in Korea.