Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Particle Agglutination Method for Poliovirus Identification
Published on: April 20, 2011
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.
Abstract:
Sequence analyses of the entire small hydrophobic (SH) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes of mumps viruses circulated in Korea from 1998 to 2001 showed that these isolates were grouped into two genotypes, H and I. While genotype I was predominant throughout the country during this period, genotype H was found in the restricted region, 1999. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of Korean isolates showed the type-specific changes including the signature motif at positions 28-30 in the SH gene and the neutralizing epitopes in the HN gene. Particularly, Asian strains including Korean isolates and European strains differed from 2.3 to 3.8% at the nucleotide sequence level in the SH gene although they belonged to the same genotype H. Furthermore, none of Korean isolates were genetically related to the vaccine strains used in Korea. The results provide important information to understand the epidemiology of mumps infection and to facilitate the development of more efficient vaccine program in Korea.
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.

