Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
Published on: November 5, 2019
Cases of aseptic meningitis after vaccination against mumps in Russia (2009-2019)
I K Belyaletdinova1, I V Mitrofanova2, L I Kozlovskaya3
1FSBSI "Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS", Moscow, Russia; Infectious Clinical Hospital No. 1, Moscow, Russia.
Objectives:
Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection prevented by immunization with live attenuated vaccines. Mumps vaccines have proven to be safe and effective; however, rare cases of aseptic meningitis (AM) can occur after vaccination. The range of meningitis occurrence varies by different factors (strain, vaccine producer, and so on). Monovaccines or divaccines (mumps-measles vaccine), prepared from the strain Leningrad-3 (L-3), are used in Russia. Meningitis occurrence after vaccination has been established previously as very low. Nevertheless, with the number of children being vaccinated every year, vaccine-associated AM cases still occur. There is no official statistics on AM incidence after mumps vaccines, and information on AM features as an adverse event of mumps vaccination is limited and mostly devoted to vaccines, prepared from strains other than L-3.
Study Design:
The study included patients with AM who were vaccinated against mumps in the previous 30 days before the present disease onset during 2009-2019.
Methods:
Patients admitted to Infectious Clinical Hospital No. 1, Moscow, Russia, with AM were observed by a pediatrician and were screened for etiological agents of meningitis.
Results:
Seven patients were enrolled, and clinical features and the course of infection are presented.
Conclusions:
Detection of only 7 cases of AM associated with mumps vaccination during the 10-year period supports very low occurrence of this adverse event after immunization with the L-3 strain-based mumps vaccines. Nevertheless, the annual number of AM cases that occur after mumps vaccination remains unknown and poorly diagnosed in practice because of the low awareness of physicians of this adverse reaction. Detection and objective coverage of such cases can lead to a weakening of 'antivaccination' moods in a society and to restoration of confidence in the healthcare system.
Insights
Mumps vaccination with the L-3 strain shows a very low incidence of aseptic meningitis (AM). Increased physician awareness is crucial for accurate diagnosis and public confidence in vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mumps is a contagious viral illness preventable by live attenuated vaccines.
- While mumps vaccines are generally safe and effective, rare cases of aseptic meningitis (AM) can occur post-vaccination.
- Information on AM as an adverse event following vaccination with the Leningrad-3 (L-3) strain-based mumps vaccines used in Russia is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and clinical features of aseptic meningitis (AM) following mumps vaccination in Russia.
- To assess the incidence of vaccine-associated AM after immunization with Leningrad-3 (L-3) strain-based mumps vaccines.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with AM between 2009 and 2019.
- Inclusion criteria required mumps vaccination within 30 days prior to disease onset.
- Patients were admitted to Infectious Clinical Hospital No. 1, Moscow, Russia, for clinical observation and etiological screening.
Main Results:
- Seven cases of aseptic meningitis (AM) associated with mumps vaccination were identified over a 10-year period.
- Clinical features and the course of infection for these seven patients were documented.
Conclusions:
- The study supports a very low occurrence of aseptic meningitis (AM) following immunization with L-3 strain-based mumps vaccines.
- Underdiagnosis and low physician awareness of vaccine-associated AM are significant issues.
- Improved detection and reporting of these cases can enhance public trust in vaccination and the healthcare system.
