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Emergent lineages of mumps virus suggest the need for a polyvalent vaccine
Meghan May1, Courtney A Rieder1, Rebecca J Rowe1
1University of New England, Biddeford, ME, USA.
Abstract:
Mumps outbreaks among vaccinated patients have become increasingly common in recent years. While there are multiple conditions driving this re-emergence, convention has suggested that these outbreaks are associated with waning immunity rather than vaccine escape. Molecular evidence from both the ongoing American and Dutch outbreaks in conjunction with recent structural biology studies challenge this convention, and suggest that emergent lineages of mumps virus exhibit key differences in antigenic epitopes from the vaccine strain employed: Jeryl-Lynn 5. The American and Dutch 2016-2017 outbreak lineages were examined using computational biology through the lens of diversity in immunogenic epitopes. Findings are discussed and the laboratory evidence indicating neutralization of heterologous mumps strains by serum from vaccinated individuals is reviewed. Taken together, it is concluded that the number of heterologous epitopes occurring in mumps virus in conjunction with waning immunity is facilitating small outbreaks in vaccinated patients, and that consideration of a polyvalent mumps vaccine is warranted.
Insights
Mumps outbreaks in vaccinated individuals are rising, challenging the idea of waning immunity alone. New evidence suggests emergent mumps virus strains have altered antigenic epitopes, potentially requiring a new polyvalent vaccine.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Mumps outbreaks are increasingly observed in vaccinated populations.
- Waning immunity has been conventionally cited as the primary cause.
- Recent molecular and structural data challenge this convention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of emergent mumps virus lineages in recent outbreaks.
- To analyze differences in antigenic epitopes between outbreak strains and the Jeryl-Lynn vaccine.
- To evaluate the contribution of viral evolution to vaccine breakthrough mumps.
Main Methods:
- Computational biology analysis of immunogenic epitopes in American and Dutch 2016-2017 outbreak mumps virus lineages.
- Review of laboratory evidence on serum neutralization of heterologous mumps strains.
- Structural biology studies of mumps virus antigenic sites.
Main Results:
- Emergent mumps virus lineages exhibit key differences in antigenic epitopes compared to the Jeryl-Lynn vaccine strain.
- Diversity in heterologous epitopes contributes to mumps re-emergence.
- Serum from vaccinated individuals shows varied neutralization of different mumps strains.
Conclusions:
- Both waning immunity and the emergence of mumps virus strains with altered epitopes contribute to outbreaks in vaccinated individuals.
- A polyvalent mumps vaccine may be necessary to address current and future outbreaks.
- Further research into mumps virus evolution and vaccine efficacy is warranted.
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