Mumps outbreak in university students: first detection of mumps virus genotype F in Borneo

Siat Yee Fong1,2, Daisuke Mori3,4, Jecelyn Leaslie John1

  • 1Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Abstract

Insights

A mumps outbreak in Malaysia was investigated, identifying the mumps virus (MuV) strain as genotype F. This finding is significant as it

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • A mumps outbreak occurred in a Malaysian university dormitory in October 2016.
  • The outbreak involved male students residing in the same building.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mumps outbreak.
  • To identify the genotype of the mumps virus (MuV) involved.

Main Methods:

  • Detected MuV using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  • Performed nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the small hydrophobic (SH) gene.
  • Determined MuV genotype using the neighbor-joining method.

Main Results:

  • One of two buccal swab samples tested positive for MuV.
  • The identified MuV strain belonged to genotype F.
  • The Malaysian genotype F strain clustered with strains from China, showing 96.84-99.68% nucleotide identity.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first report of genotype F MuV in Malaysia.
  • No epidemiological link to mainland China was established for this case.
  • Findings aid in planning mumps prevention and control strategies in Malaysia.