Mumps epidemiology in Cuba between 2004 and 2015
María de Los Angeles Ribas1, Yahisel Tejero2, Marlen Valcarcel3
1National Reference Laboratory of measles, mumps, rubella, Virology Department, Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine, Autopista Novia del Mediodía Km 61/2, La Lisa, Marianao 13, P.O. Box 601, Havana, Cuba. maribas@ipk.sld.cu.
Archives of Virology
|August 6, 2018
Summary
Despite measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination, a mumps outbreak occurred in Cuba. Laboratory tests revealed varied antibody responses, suggesting additional diagnostic methods are needed in highly vaccinated populations.
Area of Science:
- * Virology
- * Immunology
- * Epidemiology
Background:
- * Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination significantly reduced mumps incidence in Cuba.
- * A notable mumps outbreak occurred in 2006-2007, primarily affecting students, despite high vaccination coverage.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the epidemiology of mumps in Cuba from 2004 to 2015.
- * To perform in-depth laboratory characterization of mumps patient samples.
Main Methods:
- * Analysis of 116 mumps cases, including throat swabs, urines, and paired serum samples.
- * Laboratory testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM antibodies, hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Main Results:
- * Mumps-specific IgM antibodies detected in 80.2% of cases; 48.3% of initial sera were positive.
- * Seroconversion by HIA observed in 55.2% of individuals with paired sera.
- * In vaccinated individuals (n=111), 16.2% showed no IgM antibodies, but 18 demonstrated seroconversion or increased antibody titers via HIA.
Conclusions:
- * Mumps outbreaks can occur even in highly vaccinated populations.
- * Detection of mumps-specific IgM antibodies by ELISA, alongside other diagnostic methods like HIA and RT-PCR, is crucial for accurate diagnosis in settings with high vaccination rates.
- * Further investigation into vaccine effectiveness and immune response is warranted.
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