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A measles virus isolate from a child with Kawasaki disease: sequence comparison with contemporaneous isolates from
T F Schulz1, J G Hoad, D Whitby
1Chester Beatty Laboratories, Institute of Cancer Research, London, U.K.
Abstract:
We examined the relationship between a measles virus isolate from a child with Kawasaki disease and two contemporaneous wild-type isolates from children with 'classical' measles and the Schwarz vaccine strain. Sequence analysis of 3118 bp from the nucleoprotein, matrix, fusion and haemagglutinin genes of each virus revealed that the isolate from the child with Kawasaki disease was not related to measles vaccine strains and did not contain any of the marked abnormalities previously found in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis isolates, but was more akin to wild-type isolates currently circulating in the U.K. A comparison of our sequences with those obtained from earlier wild-type U.K. isolates suggests significant evolution of measles virus in the U.K. over the last decade.
Insights
This study found the measles virus isolate from a child with Kawasaki disease is similar to wild-type measles strains circulating in the UK, not vaccine strains. Measles virus in the UK has significantly evolved over the past decade.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness of unknown etiology.
- Measles virus is a highly contagious RNA virus responsible for the childhood illness measles.
- The genetic diversity and evolution of measles virus strains are critical for understanding disease transmission and pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize a measles virus isolate from a child diagnosed with Kawasaki disease.
- To compare this isolate with contemporaneous wild-type and vaccine strains of measles virus.
- To investigate potential evolutionary changes in measles virus circulating in the United Kingdom.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis of 3118 base pairs from key measles virus genes (nucleoprotein, matrix, fusion, haemagglutinin).
- Comparison of the isolate's genetic sequence with reference strains of wild-type measles virus and the Schwarz vaccine strain.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine the relationship of the isolate to other measles virus strains.
Main Results:
- The measles virus isolate from the child with Kawasaki disease showed no relation to measles vaccine strains.
- The isolate was genetically similar to wild-type measles virus strains currently circulating in the UK.
- No abnormalities were detected in the isolate, distinguishing it from strains associated with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
- Significant genetic evolution of measles virus in the UK over the last decade was suggested by sequence comparisons.
Conclusions:
- The measles virus isolate associated with Kawasaki disease in this case is likely a wild-type strain.
- The findings suggest ongoing evolution of measles virus in the UK population.
- Further research is needed to understand the potential role of specific measles virus strains in Kawasaki disease.