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An outbreak of mumps in a population partially vaccinated with the Rubini strain
D Germann1, A Ströhle, K Eggenberger
1Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Since 1991, 6 years after the recommendation of universal childhood triple vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella (M + M + R), Switzerland has been confronted with an increasing number of mumps cases affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The M + M + R vaccine mainly used in the Swiss population after 1986 contains the highly attenuated Rubini strain of mumps virus. We analysed an outbreak of 102 suspected mumps cases by virus isolation, determination of IgM antibodies to mumps virus in 27 acute phase sera, and verification of vaccination histories. Mumps was confirmed by virus isolation in 88 patients, of whom 72 had previously received the Rubini vaccine strain. IgM antibodies to mumps virus were detected in 24/27 acute phase serum samples. A group of 92 subjects from the same geographic area without signs of mumps virus infection served as controls. IgG antibodies to mumps virus and vaccination status were assessed in these children. The vaccination rate in these controls was 61%, with equal seropositivity for unvaccinated and Rubini-vaccinated subjects. These data support other recent reports which indicate an insufficient protective efficacy of current mumps vaccines.
Insights
Mumps outbreaks in vaccinated children highlight the insufficient protective efficacy of the Rubini mumps vaccine strain. Further research is needed to improve mumps vaccine effectiveness and control disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Switzerland has observed a rise in mumps cases since 1991, impacting both vaccinated and unvaccinated children.
- The prevalent measles, mumps, and rubella (M + M + R) vaccine in Switzerland after 1986 utilized the Rubini strain of the mumps virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an outbreak of mumps in Switzerland.
- To assess the efficacy of the Rubini mumps vaccine strain.
- To analyze mumps virus transmission in a vaccinated and unvaccinated population.
Main Methods:
- Virus isolation from suspected mumps cases.
- Detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to mumps virus in patient and control sera.
- Verification of vaccination histories.
Main Results:
- Mumps was confirmed in 88 out of 102 suspected cases.
- 72 confirmed cases had received the Rubini mumps vaccine.
- Serological analysis showed similar Mumps virus IgG antibody levels in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Conclusions:
- The Rubini mumps vaccine strain demonstrates insufficient protective efficacy.
- Current mumps vaccines may require re-evaluation for improved effectiveness.
- Further studies are necessary to understand and enhance mumps vaccine performance.