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[A look back at 2 mumps outbreaks]
M F Paccaud1, P Hazeghi, M Bourquin
1Laboratoire de virologie, Direction de la santé publique, Genève.
Abstract:
Two studies are presented. The first one concerns a mumps outbreak in a kindergarten in Geneva in June 1991. Of 26 children, nine (34.6%) got mumps. Of nine children vaccinated with the Rubini vaccine strain, seven had the disease as opposed to only one of 14 children vaccinated with the Urabe strain. The vaccine efficacy of the Rubini strain was estimated at 22% with a 95% confidence interval of -10% to 45%. The second study concerns a cluster of 112 mumps patients seen by a pediatrician in the Bernese Jura region between September 1992 and May 1993. A case-control study was carried out resulting in a vaccine efficacy estimate of 50% with a 95% confidence interval of -19% to 81%. Of the cases, 51 (45.5%) had been vaccinated against mumps, 50 of them (98%) with the Rubini vaccine strain. Of the controls, 30 (61.2%) had been vaccinated, 86.7% of them with Rubini. Methodological problems of case selection and their possible effects on the estimated vaccine efficacy are discussed. The results of these two studies have been confirmed by more recent investigations. In retrospect, we therefore conclude that small studies can serve as early indicators for epidemiological evidence and that they can be finally integrated into a more complete picture.
Insights
Two studies on mumps outbreaks suggest the Rubini vaccine strain may have lower efficacy compared to the Urabe strain. Small studies can provide early epidemiological evidence for vaccine effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Context:
- Mumps outbreaks in Switzerland (Geneva 1991, Bernese Jura 1992-1993).
- Focus on vaccine efficacy of different mumps strains.
Purpose:
- To assess the effectiveness of the Rubini vaccine strain versus the Urabe strain in preventing mumps.
- To evaluate the role of small studies as early indicators of epidemiological trends.
Summary:
- First study: 34.6% of children in a Geneva kindergarten outbreak contracted mumps. Rubini strain vaccine showed lower efficacy (22%) than Urabe strain.
- Second study: Case-control analysis of 112 mumps patients in Bernese Jura indicated 50% vaccine efficacy, with most vaccinated cases using the Rubini strain.
- Methodological challenges in case selection and their impact on efficacy estimates were discussed.
Impact:
- Findings suggest potential limitations of the Rubini mumps vaccine strain.
- Highlights the value of small-scale studies in generating preliminary epidemiological insights.
- Results align with subsequent investigations confirming vaccine effectiveness trends.