Cross-neutralization between three mumps viruses & mapping of haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) epitopes

Sunil R Vaidya1, Garima M Dvivedi, Santoshkumar M Jadhav

  • 1WHO National Measles Reference Laboratory, National Institute of Virology (ICMR), Pune, India.

Abstract

Insights

This study investigated mumps virus cross-neutralization in India, finding that while antibodies neutralized both wild and vaccine strains, titres were higher against the vaccine strain. This suggests potential vaccine effectiveness against circulating Indian mumps virus strains.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Mumps vaccine routine immunization is not standard in India.
  • Reports from other countries show varying antibody titres against mumps vaccine and wild-type viruses.
  • Data on mumps virus cross-neutralization in India is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the cross-neutralization activity of Indian mumps virus strains.
  • To compare antibody responses to vaccine and wild-type mumps viruses in an Indian population.
  • To analyze the HN protein sequence of Indian mumps viruses for epitope variations.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples (acute, convalescent, archived) were tested using commercial mumps IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and rapid focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT).
  • Two wild-type mumps virus strains (genotypes C and G) and the Leningrad-Zagreb vaccine strain (genotype N) were used.
  • HN protein sequences of three mumps viruses were analyzed for key epitopes.

Main Results:

  • Serum samples demonstrated effective neutralization of both wild-type and vaccine mumps virus strains.
  • Significantly lower FRNT titres were observed against wild-type viruses compared to the vaccine strain (P<0.05).
  • EIA and FRNT showed 95.6% agreement; no significant amino acid changes were found in the epitopes of Indian wild-type strains.

Conclusions:

  • Mumps virus vaccine and wild-type strains exhibit good cross-neutralization.
  • Higher FRNT titres against the mumps virus vaccine strain suggest potential for cross-protection against Indian wild-type isolates.
  • The study provides valuable insights into mumps virus immunology in a non-vaccination context.