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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope
Published on: March 24, 2017
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.
Background & Objectives:
The reports from the countries where mumps vaccine is given as routine immunization suggest differences in mumps virus neutralizing antibody titres when tested with vaccine and wild type viruses. Such reports are unavailable from countries like India where mumps vaccine is not included in routine immunization. We, therefore, undertook this study to understand the cross-neutralization activity of Indian mumps viruses.
Methods:
By using commercial mumps IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a rapid focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT), a panel of serum samples was tested. The panel consisted of 14 acute and 14 convalescent serum samples collected during a mumps outbreak and 18 archived serum samples. Two wild types (genotypes C and G) and Leningrad-Zagreb vaccine strain (genotype N) were used for the challenge experiments and FRNT titres were determined and further compared. The HN protein sequence of three mumps viruses was analyzed for the presence of key epitopes.
Results:
All serum samples effectively neutralized mumps virus wild types and a vaccine strain. However, significantly lower FRNT titres were noted to wild types than to vaccine strain (P<0.05). The comparison between EIA and FRNT results revealed 95.6 per cent agreement. No amino acid changes were seen in the epitopes in the Indian wild type strains. All potential N-linked glycosylation sites were observed in Indian strains.
Interpretation & Conclusions:
Good cross-neutralization activity was observed for three mumps virus strains, however, higher level of FRNT titres was detected for mumps virus vaccine strain compared to Indian wild type isolates.
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.

